Agricultural holdings census begins in BiH, last conducted in 1960

(Patria) - The pilot agricultural census conducted by the Federal Statistical Office begins today and will last until October 30 this year, covering approximately 8,700 agricultural holdings in all ten cantons in the Federation of BiH.

Simultaneously with the Federation of BiH, a pilot agricultural census will also be conducted in Republika Srpska and Brčko District in accordance with the jointly determined methodology at the BiH level, adopted in cooperation with all three statistical institutions: the Agency for Statistics of BiH, the Federal Statistical Office, and the Republican Statistical Office of RS, which is based on the norms and standards of the Statistical Office of the European Union (EUROSTAT).

The last agricultural census in the territory of BiH was conducted in 1960, and since then, only basic agricultural data has been collected within population censuses, including the census conducted in 2013.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently the only country in Europe, including the Western Balkan countries, that lacks basic structural data on agricultural holdings, meaning it has not conducted a comprehensive agricultural census.

The lack of statistical data hinders the development of agricultural policies and strategies, and significant efforts are needed to develop agricultural statistics, especially to ensure their alignment with EU standards.

The significance of the pilot census lies in the fact that after its implementation and analysis of the obtained data, it will be possible to finalize the methodology, the legal framework for the census, budget planning, organization of fieldwork, and ensure all other prerequisites for the implementation of a comprehensive agricultural census planned for 2023.

 A total of 80 enumerators are engaged in conducting the pilot census in the Federation of BiH through a student service. The enumerators have undergone the necessary training in accordance with the Law on Statistics of the Federation of BiH, and each enumerator is familiar with the provisions of the law regarding the use, confidentiality, and protection of personal data, and all enumerators have signed a confidentiality statement with the Federal Statistical Office.