Ready for the 2016 Rural, Agricultural and Fishery Census

(Baonghean) - On July 31, 2015, the Prime Minister issued Decision 1225/TTg on organizing the 2016 Rural, Agricultural and Fishery Census. This is a census of great significance in assessing the current situation as well as formulating policies for agricultural and rural development. Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Huu Vinh - Director of the General Statistics Office, Standing member of the Provincial Census Steering Committee on how Nghe An is preparing for a successful census.

Spring rice harvest in Quynh Ngoc commune (Quynh Luu)

PV:Could you please tell us the purpose and significance of the 2016 Rural, Agricultural and Fishery Census?

Comrade Nguyen Huu Vinh:According to the Prime Minister's Decision, the 2016 Rural, Agricultural and Fishery Census has three main purposes and meanings:

Firstly, it compiles socio-economic indicators to assess the current situation, analyze changing trends, develop plans and strategies for agricultural and rural development, and improve the living standards of rural residents nationwide as well as in each locality;

Second, compile socio-economic indicators to serve the assessment of the implementation results of some contents of national target programs on industrialization, modernization of agriculture, rural areas and new rural construction; serve international comparison of indicators of agricultural and rural areas;

Third, build a database on agriculture and rural areas to serve in-depth research and serve as a sampling frame for a number of annual periodic surveys and other statistical requirements.

PV:This is a large-scale Census with a large number of survey units; can you tell us about the survey units and households that are not included in the survey?

Comrade Nguyen Huu Vinh:The survey units in this general census include 9 units, of which the most important and primary are rural households; households participating in agricultural, forestry, salt production and fishery activities in urban areas; agricultural, forestry and fishery farms; Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Commune People's Committees and a number of units and management focal points related to the agricultural and rural sectors such as the Provincial New Rural Area Coordination Office; organizations that certify aquatic products, farming and livestock according to VietGAP practices or equivalent...

Households not subject to the census are households that do not engage in agricultural, forestry, salt production and fishery production activities and live in urban areas; households that have moved to other places before July 1, 2016; households that are students living in school dormitories, high school students renting houses or houses; households that are people living in religious establishments; officers and soldiers in armed forces barracks; workers and laborers living in construction camps in rural areas for less than 6 months.

Construction of technical infrastructure works in Tan Son Do Luong Photo: Hoang Vinh

PV:Could you tell us the timing and content of the 2016 Rural, Agricultural and Fishery Census?

Comrade Nguyen Huu Vinh:The Census will start on July 1, 2016 and is expected to end on July 30, 2016. Preliminary data will be released in December 2016 and official results will be released in the third quarter of 2017.

The content of the 2016 Rural, Agricultural and Fishery Census focuses on 3 main groups: Information group on the current status of agricultural production, including main contents such as production units and labor, means of production (land, machinery, equipment, livestock, poultry, science and technology, etc.); Information group on rural areas, including main contents such as the current status and structural shift of rural households and labor, the current status of rural socio-economic infrastructure (electricity, roads, communications, etc.); and finally, information group on rural residents, including main contents such as information reflecting the living conditions of rural residents, information on accumulation and capital mobilization capacity, etc.

PV:As the Standing Member of the Provincial Steering Committee for the General Census, can you tell us how Nghe An has been preparing for the General Census?

Comrade Nguyen Huu Vinh:Nghe An is a province with a large area and difficult travel conditions, especially in rural mountainous areas; many households live in remote areas, dozens of kilometers away from the commune center; in fact, the distribution and collection of survey forms in the area still has some difficulties and shortcomings. Therefore, to ensure that the General Census is on schedule and highly effective, preparation must be extremely active and thoughtful.

Irrigation works in Nam Dan Photo: Hoang Vinh

From June 2 to June 25, 2016, investigators, team leaders and standing teams assisting the Steering Committees of districts, cities and towns in the province were trained in survey form filling in the whole province. In total, the whole province organized 149 training courses with more than 8,000 participants. In addition, one of the contents that the Steering Committees at all levels need to focus on is doing a good job in logistics and forms: receiving and distributing survey forms, propaganda documents, stationery, and funds in a very specific and thoughtful manner...

The Provincial Steering Committee has proactively coordinated with mass media agencies and the system of cultural and information agencies from the province to the grassroots level to organize propaganda, explain and promote the General Census. Currently, localities have been and are reviewing the final preparation stages; at the same time, organizing village and hamlet meetings... to disseminate; clearly stating the purpose and requirements of the General Census. It can be affirmed that up to this point, Nghe An is ready for the 2016 General Census of Agriculture, Rural Areas and Fisheries to take place from July 1, 2016 effectively and successfully.

PV:Thank you comrade!

Nguyen Hai(Perform)