Abstract

Rapid crop area surveys using spot area frame sampling in Morocco
Track: Agriculture
Authors: Edgar Ariza-Nino, Mario Ariza-Stehling

Agricultural policy makers in developing countries often make decision in the absence of data about the actual situation in the countryside. The advent of GPS, GIS, and Esri ArcMap, have made it possible to carry out quick statistical agricultural surveys to assess the potential impact of policy and development interventions. This case study illustrate how to obtain highly robust statistical estimates of areas planted to major crops in six weeks with spot area frame sampling methodology using local field staff with two-days training. The methodology can be readily replicated by agricultural statistics departments in developing countries, with minimal requirements of prior GIS infrastructure, equipment, personnel, and software.