The third general agricultural census (RGA 2024)
ALGIERS – The third general agricultural census (RGA 2024) begins tomorrow, Sunday, and will continue until July 17. This significant national initiative is a meticulously planned operation aiming to collect comprehensive data on the country’s agricultural sector.
Under the slogan “Reliable information…sustainable development,” RGA 2024 has involved months of preparation and coordination across multiple disciplines and sectors. For the first time, it will utilize advanced technological tools and digital resources.
Key Indicators of RGA 2024:
Personnel:
- 7,349 personnel including enumerators, controllers, and supervisors.
- 6,000 enumerators are tasked with surveying, each covering 220 to 250 farms at a rate of two farms per day.
- 1,200 controllers are responsible for verifying the enumerators’ work.
- 120 wilaya supervisors oversee operations in regions with intense agricultural activity.
- 29 national supervisors manage two wilayas each. Staff primarily come from the Ministry of Agriculture and its local branches.
Data Management:
- 500 data entry centers will process the collected information, located throughout the country near census sites.
- All participants are bound by confidentiality agreements to ensure the integrity of the operation.
- The questionnaire undergoes four levels of control before data is transmitted to central servers and entered into the platform’s database.
- Each questionnaire is assigned a national identification number, resulting in a census certificate with the operator’s data and ID number, issued by local agricultural services.
Legislative Framework:
RGA 2024 operates under Executive Decree No. 23-291 of August 14, 2023, which amends Decree No. 01-114 of May 7, 2001, regarding the general agricultural census. The RGA national committee, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, oversees the operation. This committee includes 19 members from relevant ministerial sectors and national authorities.
Innovation and Collaboration:
For the first time, the High Commission for Digitization and the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) are participating. An operational technical committee has been established to handle technical and operational proposals, while a subcommittee focuses on communication and awareness campaigns targeting census takers, farmers, breeders, dealers, local communities, civil society, and future users of the RGA results.
Pilot Operation:
In February, a pilot operation tested the questionnaire’s effectiveness in six municipalities: Zeghmir (Adrar), Ain Naga (Biskra), Drean (El Tarf), Ain El Ibl (Djelfa), Hamr El Ain (Tipasa), and Oued Taghia (Mascara). This test represented all sectors and methods of agriculture.
The RGA 2024 runs from May 19 to July 17, with a potential extension of up to 15 days if necessary.