Field functionaries trained on Agriculture census

DIMAPUR — A one-day state-level training on Agriculture Census 2021-2022 (Phase II) and Input Survey 2022-23 (Phase III) for field functionaries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, was held at the conferences hall of the Directorate of Agriculture in Kohima on Thursday.

Speaking at the programme, C Peter Yanthan, director of Agriculture, stated that agriculture census scheme is a central sector plan programme mandated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare as part of World Census of Agriculture (WCA) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

He informed that the 11th agriculture census 2021-22 (Phase-1) under ‘Details of operational holders’ was successfully completed in 1421 villages spread over 16 districts and 74 blocks. He added that data on characteristics of holdings like cropping pattern, irrigation status and inputs use of operational holding were collected from selected villages during phase-ll and phase-III.

Yanthan also stated that agriculture censuses are important as they are the main source of information on basic characteristics of operational holdings such as land use and cropping pattern, irrigation and tenancy. He added that it provides basis for development of a comprehensive integrated national system of agriculture statistics and has links with various components of the national statistical system.

The objectives of the agriculture census, according to Yanthan, was to provide benchmark data up to the lowest geographical level in district/ block/ village, which is needed for formulating new agricultural development programmes and evaluating process and also to provide statistical frame for carrying out future surveys.

Yanthan stated that the information furnished by the cultivators would be used only for statistical purposes. He added that the data supplied by them particularly on aspects relating to tenancy, division of holding or crop cultivated would not be utilised for settlement of any dispute in any court of law or for deciding any tax to be levied on them.

In technical session, demonstrations were conducted by resources person from Agriculture Census Division, GoI, namely Sanjeev Kumar, senior statistical officer, and Pankaj Dutt, data entry operator.

Agriculture officials from all the districts attended the training.