1. PROGRAMME FOR THE 2010 ROUND OF CENSUSES OF AGRICULTURE
CLASSIFICATIONS
J A Colwell
November 2005

2. What is statistical classification?
Classification refers to the collection or presentation of data in classes in a structured format.
Two elements of classification:
- The classes used for the data; e.g., for what crops should data be collected?
- The structure of the classification; e.g., what is the most logical way of grouping the crops for presentation purposes (such as cereals, vegetables, etc.)

3. International classifications
There are many classifications used in the agricultural census.
For many items there are international classifications, which should be used as the basis for classifications in any statistical collection.
In the agricultural census:
Economic and social activities (UNSD ISIC)
Products (goods and services) (UNSD CPC)
Crops.
Livestock types.
Machinery.
Occupation and Labour (ILO, e.g. ISCO)
Population/demographic data, such as marital status (UN).
Land use (FAO)

4. Land use classes in the agricultural census
Land under temporary crops;
Land under temporary meadows;
Land temporarily fallow;
Land under permanent crops;
Permanent meadows and pastures;
Forest or other wooded land;
Other land.

5. Structure of land use classification

6. Main crop groups Cereals Vegetables and melons Fruit and nuts
Oilseed crops
Root/tuber crops
Beverage and spice crops
Leguminous crops
Sugar crops
Other crops.

7. Main livestock groups Large ruminants Small ruminants Pigs or swine
Equines
Camels or camelids
Poultry
Other animals
Insects

8. Main machinery groups Manually-operated machinery
Animal-powered machinery
Machine-powered machinery
General farm machinery
Tractors, etc.
Crop equipment (land preparation, crop maintenance, crop harvesting, post-harvest)
Livestock machinery
Aquaculture machinery