The Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT) is carrying out a census on the structure of agricultural holdings during the period of September 2020 - April 2021.
Within the European Union, each Member State is tasked with collecting data concerning the farmers and their farms in their country, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council on integrated farm statistics. The results of the Census of Agriculture are needed in order to examine the trends in the structure of agricultural holdings and provide the Union with the necessary information to design, implement, monitor, evaluate and review the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other related policies.
For the success of the Census, the Statistical Service of Cyprus relies on the active and committed participation of all farmers, which is essential to ensure the accuracy and quality of the data collected.
On the occasion of the Census of Agriculture, the Statistical Service has published an infographic with the latest available data on agriculture and livestock, as well as an information leaflet about the conduct of the census. To see the relevant information click on the images below. Additionally, detailed statistics regarding the agricultural sector are available in the Predefined Tables.
Find below the answers to frequently asked questions about the Census:
WHY IS THE CENSUS NEEDED? WHO WILL USE THE DATA?
WHAT KIND OF DATA WILL BE COLLECTED?
WHEN AND HOW WILL THE DATA BE COLLECTED?
WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE?
WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE QUICKLY?
IS IT MANDATORY TO PARTICIPATE?
HOW IS THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION AND PERSONAL DATA SAFEGUARDED?
HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THAT IT IS INDEED AN ENUMERATOR OF THE STATISTICAL SERVICE WHO VISITED ME?
WHEN WILL THE RESULTS OF CENSUS BE AVAILABLE?
HOW CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENSUS?
WHY IS THE CENSUS NEEDED? WHO WILL USE THE DATA?
A census of agriculture is carried out every 10 years. The main objective of the census is to provide accurate and detailed data on the structure of agricultural (crop and livestock) holdings and the characteristics of their holders. This is the seventh census of agriculture conducted after the independence of Cyprus. The previous ones were held in 1960, 1977, 1985, 1994, 2003 and 2010.
The information is considered useful for the evaluation of the changes in the structure of the agricultural sector and for the formulation and implementation of new policies for agriculture and the rural areas in general. The data will also be used by the public, researchers, farmers and policy-makers to better understand the agricultural and livestock farming system in Cyprus and the impact of agriculture on the environment. The information is particularly important at the EU level as well, since it forms the basis for monitoring and reviewing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other related policies.
WHAT KIND OF DATA WILL BE COLLECTED?
The census of agriculture 2020 covers the following aspects on farming:
- general characteristics of the holding and the holder (identifiers of the holding, legal personality and management of the holding, characteristics of the holder and/or the manager such as age, gender, legal status, level of agricultural training, main occupation, etc., land tenure, location of holding),
- land (land use by crop categories, irrigation by crop, organic farming),
- livestock (livestock numbers by breed and age, organic livestock farming),
- animal housing and manure management (places available in animal housing, manure application techniques and storage),
- labour force (characteristics of people working on the holding, other gainful activities of the holding),
- rural development measures.
Census of Agriculture Questionnaire 2020 (EL)
WHEN AND HOW WILL THE DATA BE COLLECTED?
The data will be collected during the period September 2020 to April 2021. Data collection will be carried out by paper questionnaires filled out by enumerators of the Statistical Service during personal visits to the respondents.
The information should be given by the holder of the farm, unless he is temporarily absent or ill, in which case the information may be provided by another member of the household or an employee of the farm who is well acquainted with its structure and operations and can provide accurate information. In the case of companies, cooperatives and legal entities in general, the information will be provided by the manager, i.e. the person responsible for their operation.
WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE?
For the purpose of the census of agriculture 2020 holdings are surveyed only if:
- they have utilized agricultural area equal or greater than two (2) decares, or
- at least a hundred square metres (100 m²) in greenhouse, or
- at least one (1) decare vineyards, or
- at least a hundred square metres (100 m²) mushrooms, or
- they own animals, and specifically one (1) and more cows, or
- a total of two (2) and more other bovine of any kind and age, or
- a total of five (5) and more small animals (goats, sheep, pigs) of any age and gender, or
- fifty (50) and more poultry (chicken, hens, turkeys, ducks, geese), or
- five (5) and more ostriches, or
- twenty (20) and more beehives, or
- ten (10) and more rabbit breeding females.
WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE QUICKLY?
To speed up the interview and facilitate the filling in of the questionnaire, it is advisable that the respondent has at his/her disposal the following pieces of information:
- records on farming, such as the size of the land area, manure techniques, etc.,
- identification code(s) related to the holding, for which agricultural and rural development subsidies are applied for,
- parcel identification number(s).
IS IT MANDATORY TO PARTICIPATE?
Participation in the Census of Agriculture 2020 is compulsory, according to the Official Statistics Law of 2021 (Law No. 25(I)/2021), which is the legal basis for the development, production and dissemination of official statistics in Cyprus.
Any person who refuses to provide data or who provides false, incomplete or inaccurate data is guilty of an offence and is liable to the consequences of the Law.
HOW IS THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION AND PERSONAL DATA SAFEGUARDED?
The Statistical Service is obliged to treat all information obtained as CONFIDENTIAL and to use it solely for statistical purposes. The Official Statistics Law of 2021 (Law No. 25(I)/2021), as well as Regulation (EC) No. 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding European statistics contain provisions on statistical confidentiality and the protection of confidential data obtained from either natural or legal persons. All personal information is considered confidential and the statistics produced are published in such a way as to prevent the direct or indirect disclosure of the identity of those who provided the data or the persons to whom it refers.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) authorizes the Statistical Service to treat personal data exclusively for statistical purposes. At the same time, it provides the respondents with the appropriate safeguards as to the protection of their personal data during their processing.
HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THAT IT IS INDEED AN ENUMERATOR OF THE STATISTICAL SERVICE WHO VISITED ME?
Enumerators visiting the holders of agricultural and livestock holdings for filling in the questionnaire are required to identify themselves. They will bear an authorization card issued by the Statistical Service.
Respondents are welcome to contact the Statistical Service when in doubt.
WHEN WILL THE RESULTS OF CENSUS BE AVAILABLE?
The results of the Census of Agriculture 2020 will be published as summary and detailed tables, including comparative tables between previous Censuses, on the web Portal of the Statistical Service at www.cystat.gov.cy, along with the necessary metadata by the end of 2022.
HOW CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENSUS?
For questions, clarifications or additional information concerning the census of agriculture 2020, please contact the Statistical Service of Cyprus at the following telephone numbers:
Lefkosia: 22602222, 22602204
Lemesos: 25270603, 25270602
Larnaka/Ammochostos: 24205834, 24205835
Pafos: 26804436, 26804443.