1. 1 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Presentation to the ICAS IV 2007 conference delegates Lessons learned from the 2002 Census of Commercial Agriculture Moses Mnyaka Statistics South Africa 22 October 2007

2. 2 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Contents Introduction Needs analysis Frame Tool/instrument used and data collection Data processing and imputation Lessons learned from the census Conclusion

3. 3 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa History of agricultural censuses in South Africa Importance of the agricultural census Factors affecting the success of the census How did the census link to the national agriculture statistics systems and the national statistical system at large Introduction

4. 4 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Decision to conduct a census was based on a request to national Department of Agriculture Other stakeholders, e.g. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry; Department of Environmental Affairs and Department of Trade and Industry were not consulted Government departments and other producers of agricultural statistics work in silos Suppliers (farmers) were not involved from the beginning No sufficient time was given for planning The information collected was based on size of the land, production, financial statistics, employment statistics and personal details In South Africa Needs analysis

5. 5 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa The frame was drawn from a list of enterprises registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) Measure of size was the annual turnover of businesses Covered mostly formal businesses as informal had to register voluntarily Frame not integrated with other administrative to give a full coverage of the sector Approximately, 60% of the businesses registered onto the frame were registered by bookkeepers, auditors or accountants using their contact details T he frame was not maintained and updated on businesses that have been liquidated, closed, sold or merged Frame

6. 6 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Agricultural businesses units registered for VAT Stratum/Size group RangeNumber of units Active units during 2002 1R4mill>3 0032 330 2R2mill> and < R4mill3 5263 041 3R1mill > and < R2mill5 9865 214 4R300K > and < R1mill13 75711 805 5 < R300K 54 44623 428 Total80 71845 818

7. 7 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Breakdown of units that were not usable during the census Reason of inactivityNumber of units Zero contribution (e.g. pensioners)24 521 Included in other3 539 Outside scope3 479 Closed down2 193 Liquidated674 Dormant325 Incomplete questionnaire 129 Sold/Merged/Take-over34 Outside borders7 Name change3 Total 34 900

8. 8 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Questionnaire designed for a postal census and keyboard capturing Questionnaire contained questions regarding all types of farming activity Input received from stakeholders through an advisory committee meeting Political instability, crime, lack of sufficient publicity led to low response rate Response rate was fairly good on large enterprises Tool/instrument used and data collection

9. 9 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Response rate according to stratum Stratum/Size group Active units during 2002 Response rate (%) 12 33094,4 23 04169,5 35 21457,0 411 80551,6 523 42865,6 Total45 81862,7

10. 10 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Data checked, edited and captured as each individual questionnaire was received Warning and inconsistency error systems were built with in the capturing system Non-responding units were dealt with by using their annual turnover from the Business Frame Imputation was done for the financial statistics variables by using the ration imputation method Data about the size of land and production was published without imputation Data processing and imputation

11. 11 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Planning for the census is vital as early as the previous census is conducted Availability of resources, financial and human (skilled expertise) is crucial Political climate and crime have an influence in conducting the census Other similar projects/surveys conducted over the same population have an impact on the census Overloading of the questionnaire affects the response rate Need for non-commercial farming data was reflected by the non availability of data for GDP estimation of forestry and fishing sub sectors Clear concept and definitions not properly covered affects are important for good participation by respondents Lessons learned from the census

12. 12 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Uncertainty regarding funding Inclusion of questions related to small scale farming Political climate and crime have an influence in conducting the census Other similar projects/surveys conducted over the same population have an impact on the census Overloading of the questionnaire affects the response rate Need for non-commercial farming data was reflected by the non availability of data for GDP estimation of forestry and fishing sub sectors Clear concept and definitions not properly covered affects are important for good participation by respondents Lessons learned from the census

13. 13 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Designing a strategy on national agricultural system in conjunction with other role players in the sector; Using standard concepts and definitions nationally; Focusing on collection of financial and employment statistics when conducting annual surveys; Strategy on the coverage of the secondary economy; Measuring of the sector to withstand bio-fuel needs against food security; Formulation of an Advisory Committee on a permanent basis; Conclusion

14. 14 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Coverage of businesses operating farming activity under the non-agriculture sectors Conducting a national Workshop on Agricultural Statistics; Keeping track of international best practice; Advance planning and research work; Bring on board users, suppliers and other data producers of agricultural statistics Conclusion

15. 15 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa These have been shown by recent requests to Stats SA, - by organised agriculture, that Stats SA co- ordinate all data collection survey in the farming communities, - by National Accounts for a new survey on environmental studies, - by Dept of Water Affairs and Forestry on water usage, - by Dept of Land Affairs for a survey on eviction of farm dwellers, - by conducting for the first time a census of agricultural services parallel to censuses of forestry and fishing Conclusion

16. 16 Measuring the Agriculture indicators in South Africa Moses Mnyaka Statistics South Africa, Agricultural Statistics 170 Andries Street Pretoria 0001, South Africa mosesmn@statssa.gov.za