Local farmers to take part in Agri-Census

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said that about 175 farmers in the CNMI will be participating in the 2008 Agricultural Census, which will cover data for the 2007 calendar year.

Central Statistics Division director Jose Liwanag said that anybody earning $1,000 or over from their farms, plant nurseries or livestock are subject to the 2008 Agricultural Census, which is scheduled to start before the end of April.

“The Census is in English and we understand that we have non-English speaking farmers. We have plans to hire somebody who can speak Chinese, who will help translate the Census for our Chinese farmers,” Liwanag said.

He added that necessary documents to conduct the 2008 Agricultural Census are finally being processed at the Office of Personal Management and the Department of Finance.

The DOF Federal Grant section is the locally designated disbursing agency of the 2008 Agricultural Census.

The last time the Agricultural Census was conducted was five years ago.

Liwanag said the Census is done every five years as per the United States Department of Agriculture.

The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them.

Liwanag said the exact number of farmers who will be filling out the new census will not be known until the program is fully completed.

The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many other areas.

According to the USDA, participation in the Census of Agriculture is vital because farm organizations, businesses, government agencies, planners, policy makers, schools and the farmers themselves will use the information it contains to evaluate policies and programs, develop production and market strategies, and prepare for the future.

“It is the only report that gives a detailed look at all commodities on the county, state and national level,” the USDA stated in its website.

The USDA said the Census provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation.

“Through the Census, producers can show the nation the value and importance of agriculture and they can help influence decisions that will shape the future of American agriculture for years to come. By responding to the Census, producers are helping themselves, their communities and all of U.S. agriculture,” says the USDA.

Liwanag said all farms in the CNMI are being visited to prep farmers of the upcoming Census.