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LV Agricultural census begins in Latvia
On April 15, the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) will begin a comprehensive agricultural census, which will involve the participation of approximately 85 thousand farms in Latvia. Information will be collected on all farms engaged in agricultural production – managing agricultural land or raising farm animals, or maintaining land in good agricultural and environmental condition, regardless of whether they manage land they own or lease from other farmers.
Agricultural census information will serve for sector analysis and decision-making, as well as provide the information necessary for agricultural policy and rural development planning.
“The agricultural census is conducted every 10 years. The results obtained will provide an informative basis for the development of agriculture in the country over the next decade, therefore the participation of farmers in the census is particularly important,” emphasizes Armands Plāte, Director of the Agricultural and Environmental Statistics Department of the Central Statistical Office.
Farmers will only have to provide data that is not available in the registers of the Rural Support Service and the Agricultural Data Centre.
The agricultural census will provide general information on farms, agricultural land use, the number of farm animals, livestock housing and fertilizer management, as well as agricultural workers and other farm activities.
CSB invites you to submit information for the 2020 agricultural census online from April 15 e.csb.gov.lv . For authorization in the CSB electronic data collection system, you can use Latvija.lv (internet bank, e-identification card or e-signature), the name and password of an existing system user, or register as a new user. While filling out the questionnaire, it is possible to stop and continue it at a convenient time. The questionnaire can be filled out in Latvian, Russian or English. Interviewers will contact farms that have not submitted data online from October 1, and electronic data collection will continue until December 22.
For the electronic questionnaire on the website e.csb.gov.lv Explanations and definitions of indicators have been prepared. CSB specialists will answer questions about filling out the questionnaire by calling the toll-free number 80202808 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or by e-mail. ls2020@csb.gov.lv.
Current information about the 2020 agricultural census is available on the CSB website csb.gov.lv/lauki2020 .
The first agricultural census in Latvia was held 100 years ago – in 1920, simultaneously with the first national census. Six agricultural censuses were held during the first period of independence. After the restoration of independence, agricultural censuses were held in 2001 and 2010.
In accordance with the Statistics Law, the information provided by the CSB is not disclosed, and the information obtained will be used only in aggregate form.
Watch the video commentary on the agricultural census by Armands Plāte, Director of the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Statistics of the Central Statistical Office.