Building a master sampling frame by linking the population and housing census with the agricultural census

The objective of the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics is to enable developing countries to build a sound and comprehensive agricultural statistical system, that is sustainable, well integrated in the overall national statistical system and that is capable of responding to the information needs of the 21 ^{st} century. One of the three pillars of the Global Strategy is the integration of agriculture into the national statistical system which is obtained through three methodological tools: (i) an integrated survey framework, that defines the mix and frequency of data collection initiatives needed to meet the predefined data requirements; (ii) an integrated statistical data base, that provides data management system for different data sources (censuses, surveys, administrative data), using common definitions and classifications and ensuring that only one number is agreed as official statistics; (iii) a master sampling frame, that is the basis for selecting the sample of all agriculture-related surveys across the national statistical system, thus allowing coordinated data collections.

Little guidance is currently available on buiding a Master Sample Frame for agricultural surveys in different country contexts. The FAO and UNFPA Guidelines for Linking Population and Housing Censuses with Agricultura Censuses aim to fill this gap. This paper draws on the Guidelines and country reports to examine how the agricultural data collected through the Population Census can contribute to building a Master Sample Frame for agriculture censuses and surveys, with illustrations from the recent experience of Mozambique.