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Working Group for the formulation of Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007).

Agriculture Statistics

Dated 15th November 2000

Composition

Terms of Reference

1. To review the present system of Reporting of agricultural statistics, identify and adopt uniform set up of concepts and definitions for reporting of data on Agriculture Statistics by different agencies under Union Government and State Agriculture Statistical Authorities (SASA).
2. To study the existing system of methodology of collection of agricultural statistics and evolve a systematic approach towards Crop Forecasting and Advance Estimates of various agricultural crops including horticultural crops.
3. To suggest ways and means for evolving appropriate Crop Calendar and improve the methodology for area estimates, yield estimates and production estimates.
4. To identify the extent of divergence and inconsistencies between different sets of data for agriculture, collected by the various agencies such as Agriculture Census, Land and Livestock Holdings Survey etc. and suggest appropriate remedial measures.
5. The question of collecting reliable information on Tenancy, both open and concealed in the form of share cropping arrangements, as a part of the Agricultural Census may be examined and suitable measures may be suggested.
6. To study existing status of cost of cultivation studies, collection data of prices, procurement of food grains and other crops under Price Support Operation/Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and livestock etc at the level of mandi, wholesale markets, retail markets, primary marketing center etc. and suggest corrective measures, if necessary.
7. To critically review the ongoing Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes relating to Agriculture Statistics and National Centre for Crop Forecast and suggest measures for appropriate modifications/introduction of the schemes for strengthening data base.
8. To identify the training needs of the statistical officials/investigators, identify the gaps in their competence and suggest suitable package for training methodology.
9. To identify the areas of Agriculture Statistics, where appropriate use of Information Technology could be put into operation.

In order to assist the Working Group in its task, separate Sub-Groups on specific aspects may be formed by the Chairman of Working Group. These, Sub-Groups will furnish their reports to the Working Group.

The Chairman of the Working Group may co-opt experts as he considers necessary.

Non-officials shall be entitled to TA/DA as permissible to Grade-I officers of Government of India and the expenditure will be borne by Planning Commission. The TA/DA of Government and Public Sector officials will be borne by their respective organizations.

The Working Group will submit its report to the Planning Commission latest by 31^st March, 2001.