January 8: The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) is preparing to publish the results of 7th National Agriculture Census on February 12. According to the bureau, the census held from April 19 to June 2 is currently in the final stage.

“Data processing and publication are almost over,” the CBS said.

The CBS had carried assessment of the situation of various crops produced in the country, irrigation, use of agricultural materials, collection of details on lands used for farming, and the number of livestock and fowls under the census which is held every ten years.

The First National Agriculture Census was held in Nepal in 1961/62 AD.

The latest census covered areas of all 753 local units (rural municipalities and municipalities) of 77 districts. The enumerators deployed in the census visited 350,000 farmers in all 753 local units to collect the details of agricultural activities.

According to the CSB, the enumerators collected details of farmers, workers employed, lands used, irrigation facility, crops and fruits planted, the availability of seeds and fertilizers, the number of livestock, buildings and structures used, ponds used for fishery, apiary, silkworm farming, loans for farmers, insurance and subsidies, the impact on agriculture, natural disasters, the availability of food for farmers and other economic activities related to farmers.    

Data on subsistence, commercial and institutional farming was also collected.

According to the CBS, a scientific method was employed to conduct the census.

Experts believe that this census will help carry out a study on the impact and contribution of agriculture to the national production.    

This will also help formulate plans, monitor and evaluate agricultural produce at all three tiers of government, said sources.