Integration of Agricultural
Census in the National Survey
Program in Indonesia
By Pietojo and Puguh B Irawan
BPS-Statistics Indonesia
E-mail: pietojo@bps.go.id, pbirawan@mailhost.bps.go.id
Presented at Roundtable Meeting on Program for the
2010 Round of Censuses of Agriculture, Bangkok,
Thailand, 28 November – 2 December 2005
Brief history (1)
 Up to now, BPS-Statistics Indonesia has carried
out five agricultural censuses → that was in 1963,
1973, 1983, 1993 and the latest one in 2003; then
it will be implemented every ten years ahead as
mentioned by Statistics Law and Government
Regulation
 The agricultural census is one of core statistical
programs, as the country is very much
characterized by agricultural-dominated features,
in terms of economic and social-cultural aspects of
its population’s life.
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Brief history (2)
 Contribution of agricultural sector to the national
economy (GDP) was around 16% in 2004, the
second largest after manufacturing sector
accounting for 29%
 Role of agricultural sector in generating employment
was around 40.6 million workers, or around 43,3%
to total working population in 2004.
 Need of reliable, timely and relevant agricultural
database as a basis for monitoring and evaluating
progresses achieved in past agricultural policies and
programs, and for formulating sound agricultural
development planning in the future.
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Brief history (3)
 The availability of reliable agricultural data as a
part of national census and survey programs
developed by BPS-Statistics Indonesia to provide
comprehensive social and economic statistical
system.
 In attempts to maintain the effective use of data,
data collected from agricultural census and other
surveys must reflect demand-driven basic data
needs, based on the appropriate priorities of the
main stakeholders, both public and private
sectors.
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Topics discussed in this paper
1. To describe a technical summary of the
last agricultural census in Indonesia.
2. To discuss experiences and issues of the
implementation of the last census.
3. To evaluate possible changes in
agricultural statistical topics for further
improvements in the next agricultural
census.
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A technical summary (1)


1.
2.
3.
The 2003 Agricultural Census was a large-scale
data collection activity, involving substantial
financial resources and large number of field
workers.
Main objectives
To establish a comprehensive and reliable
agricultural database which capture the overall
agricultural picture in Indonesia;
To provide a sound sampling frame used for a
basis of sampling designs in subsequent and
routine agricultural surveys;
To produce information on the number of farm
households, small farming land holders (marginal
peasants), distribution of land holdings, cost
structure, agricultural production and farm
households’ income.
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A technical summary (2)
 Census coverage: farm households
and businesses throughout the
national territory
• In around 375,762 enumerating
census blocks
• In 70,460 villages
• In 4,920 sub-districts Spreading over
in 377 districts in 29 provinces (Aceh
was not covered due to securityrelated issues)
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A technical summary (3)

Implementation: due to large coverage of data
collection, census activities were implemented
step-by-step, spanning over 4 budget years from
2002-2005.

In 2002: updating of maps of enumerating census
blocks, complete enumeration of potential villages, and
updating of directory of agricultural enterprises;
In 2003: listing of households, post enumeration
survey, and preliminary data processing;
In 2004: further data processing and data analysis of
listing results, undertaking of subsequent sample
surveys of agricultural household businesses by subsectors, sample survey of farmers’ income;
In 2005: Data processing and analysis of the results of
sample survey, implementation of survey of fishery
household firms



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A technical summary (4)

3 Major Activities in the 2003 Agricultural Census:
1.
Updating the directory of agricultural enterprises: by
revising the previous 1993 directory based on official
records from government agencies, followed by verifying
the revised version in the fields at sub-district level.
Building and household listing: carried out by separating
urban-rural classification of areas; urban areas are further
distinguished by coastal and non-coastal zones. Noncoastal zone were grouped into 2 strata—concentrating
and non-concentrating zones of agricultural businesses.
Implementation of 9 subsequent sample surveys of
household enterprises on paddy cultivation, other food
cultivation, horticultural farming, estate crops, livestock
husbandry, households living in the forest areas, farmers’
income, fishery farming (in fresh water) and fishing.
2.
3.
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Issues and experiences (1)

Due to large-scale activity, various issues inevitably
rose during census planning, development of census
methodology and sampling design, data collection,
data processing and analysis.
Census planning: due to limited budget allocation (Rp
400 billions), undertakings of various activities in the
census were split into several stages, spanning from
4 budget years (2001-5), thus raising time lag
between two related activities.
It brings about inconsistencies between information
on households obtained from the listing in 2003 and
those selected as samples in subsequent surveys in
2004, i.e. changes in addresses and enumerating
area boundaries, in household economic activities
and commodities cultivated.
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Issues and experiences (2)
Field work: involvement of a huge number of field
workers with varied qualifications potentially led to
different interpretation of concepts and definitions
employed in survey instruments, in turn affecting the
overall quality of agricultural data collected.
Data processing: Instead of speeding up the data
processing, the use of scanners in data entry led to the
delay of time schedule for the overall agricultural census
activity. In many cases, scanners failed to detect various
types of numbers or digits filled in the questionnaires by
different handwritings from large number of field workers.
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Evaluation for further
improvements (1)
 While provision for comprehensive and reliable
agricultural database is crucial for Indonesia,
priorities need to be given in order to focus on strictly
selective topics of agricultural issues that are most
relevant for Indonesian development agenda
nowadays.
 From the evaluation of various information collected
in the 2003 Agricultural Census compatible with the
likely utilization of data by relevant stakeholders
(both public and private sectors), there are urgent
needs for reducing the length of questionnaires and
for improving sampling methodologies in such a way
that would eases respondent burden in providing
information needed in the next agricultural census.
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Evaluation for further
improvements (2)


1.
2.
3.
Simplifying questionnaire designs in the next census may
be done through intensive consultations with relevant
stakeholders and thorough review of medium- and longterm development planning, in order to establish a list of
issues, priorities and goals for agricultural development
programs in the coming years.
Current major issues in agricultural sector:
National agricultural development strategy is to increase
agricultural productivity, to boost agribusiness and to
improve the wellbeing of farmers;
High dependence on agricultural economy among rural
population with the majority of being poor, worsened by
unequal land distribution;
Decentralization process poses opportunities and
challenges in light of the prospect of agricultural
development at regional levels
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Concluding remarks





The increasing demand for reliable and comprehensive
database in agriculture that satisfies all different data
users always poses challenges and opportunities.
The demand for data should be tailored with available
resources and relevant scopes in the current agricultural
issues.
It must reflect demand-driven data needs based on the
appropriate priorities of the main stakeholders, both
domestic public and private sectors.
At the same time, it should provide the needs of external
data users including international agencies and foreign
investors.
Given the significance of agricultural data in the national
statistical system for supporting Indonesian development
agenda, the regular implementation of the agricultural
censuses definitely needs to be maintained in the future.
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND COOPERATION
DURING MY PRESENTATION
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