Agriculture Census Overview

Recognizing the importance of agriculture sector in the economy, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has been implementing the Agriculture Census Scheme since 1970-71. Agriculture Census in India is conducted at an interval of five years following broad guidelines of decennial World Census of Agriculture (WCA) evolved by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Agriculture Census forms part of a broader system of collection of Agricultural Statistics in India. It is a large-scale statistical operation for collection of requisite data and derivation of quantitative information about the structural characteristics of agriculture in the country. Through Agriculture Census, basic data on important aspects of agricultural economy of operational holdings in the country is collected. The basic unit of data collection in Agriculture Census is the operational holding. Periodic Agriculture Censuses are the main source of information on basic characteristics of operational holdings such as land use, cropping pattern, irrigation status, tenancy etc. This information is tabulated by different size classes (marginal, small, semi-medium, medium and large) and Social Groups including Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, which are needed for development planning, socio-economic policy formulation and establishment of national priorities. Census also provides the basis for development of a comprehensive integrated national system of agricultural statistics.

So far, ten Agriculture Censuses have been conducted in the country since 1970-71 and the current Agriculture Census with reference year 2021-22 is eleventh in the series. The Eleventh Agriculture Census (2021-22) was launched by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on 28th July 2022 in New Delhi.

Further details on Agriculture Census can be accessed from the website at