AGRICULTURE CENSUS
OF PUERTO RICO

PURPOSE

To provide periodic and comprehensive data about Puerto Rico agricultural operations, operators, and land. United States Code, Title 13, requires this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Puerto Rico Planning Board and other agricultural organizations assist with the census.

COVERAGE

All operators of farms that sold or normally would have sold $500 or more of agricultural products during the census period. In 1992, approximately 20,000 farms were counted producing crops and livestock sales of over $400 million.

CONTENT

Operators provide data on cuerdas (acreage) farmed, crop acreage and quantity harvested, sales by crop type, land use, irrigation, number of livestock, value of livestock sold, type of farm organization, other farm-related income, and operator characteristics. Additional data are also collected on chemical use, farm expenses, number of machines, equipment, and buildings located on farm, and number of hired laborers. In 1992, this additional data were collected only from a sample of operators.

FREQUENCY

Every 5 years since 1954, currently taken for years ending in "2" and "7." The first Puerto Rico census was taken in 1910 and every 10 years thereafter until 1950. A special census was conducted in 1935 by the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration. The data collected are for activity occurring from July of the census year through June of the following year.

METHODS

For 1992, a mail-out/mail-back census of known farm operators; area sampling of small operators. The list of known operators was composed of farms from the 1987 census file with a total value of production exceeding $2,500, or 20 or more cuerdas, along with any additional special farm lists supplied by the Puerto Rico authorities. These operators were sent a census form. To lower response burden, personal enumeration of sample areas were used to estimate activities of non-list farms.

The 1987 census was conducted by enumerators assigned to specific geographic areas. In rural areas, every household and/or dwelling unit was visited. In urbanized areas, enumerators made inquiries of knowledgeable people to find persons involved in conducting agricultural operations. All individuals responding positively to a series of screening questions were required to fill out a form.

A sample of farmers were asked additional questions. Farms selected with certainty were all farms with sales in 1982 greater than $10,000, having a size greater than 49 cuerdas, and all farms located in municipios containing 250 farms or less in 1982. All other farms were sampled at a rate of 1 in 5.

A memorandum of understanding outlines the responsibilities of the Census Bureau and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in conducting the census. The Bureau opens a field office in Puerto Rico and manages the census. The Commonwealth contributes input to the questionnaire content, aids in constructing the mailing list, and helps with publicity.

PRODUCTS

The Geographic Area Series, Part 52 Puerto Rico provides statistics at the island, regional and municipio level. Statistics are presented for farm operations by total value of sales, tenure of operators, farm size, and operator characteristics. Publication text is printed in both English and Spanish.

USES

The Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture and Extension Service use data to benchmark their own data. The Puerto Rico Planning Board uses data for input in decisions regarding government planning and legislation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses data to assist in damage assessment in cases of natural disasters.

Agricultural producers use published statistics to determine possible markets for their goods or location for production. Agricultural consumers use information on quantities of products produced and availability for export.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Provides the only recognized source of consistent and comparable data on Commonwealth agricultural activities at the municipio level.

For further information on Census of Agriculture of Puerto Rico statistics contact Roger Beinhart at 1-800-523-3215, fax 301/763-8499,
Internet address rbeinhart@nass.usda.gov