Introduction
Phase 1: Scope
Phase 2: Design
Phase 3: Organization
Phase 4: Collection
Phase 5: Categorization
Phase 6: Review
Phase 7: Publishing
Phase 8: Evaluation
Phase 9: Management
Introduction:
In all its statistical work, GASTAT applies a unified methodology suitable for the nature of each statistical product using the Statistical Procedures Guide approved by international organizations. Statistical products undergo 8 main phases, in addition to a ninth comprehensive phase, “Management”, as shown in the following diagram and
explanation underneath:
The first 3 phases (Scope, Design and Organization) are a cooperative process between GASTAT and its clients, represented by developmental entities data users, while Phase 4 (Data Collection) is done through GASTAT’s cooperation with the statistical population, whether families, businesses or holdings, in order to complete data and
information. The remaining phases are statistical stages in which data is classified, reviewed and published. Then, Phase 8 (Evaluation) is carried out with clients. The Management Phase it is an administrative and organizational procedure applied across all phases. These phases have been applied to agricultural holdings as follows:
Phase 1: Scope
The starting point of the preparation of the Agricultural Holdings Survey and the first shared phase between GASTAT and other stakeholders from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) and Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO). In this stage, GASTAT held workshops and meetings with entities to understand their needs and learn their requirements as the main data users. Their feedback was taken into consideration to ensure the realization of all the objectives of the Specialized Agricultural Projects (Laying Chicken Farms and Hatcheries) Survey, which are:
1. Supporting decision makers, policy makers, researchers, and parties interested in statistics thanks to comprehensive and updated statistics related to the Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey (Laying Chicken Farms and Hatcheries) in the Kingdom.
2. Obtaining data on project production and production requirements of Specialized Agricultural Projects (Laying Chicken Farms and Hatcheries).
3. Providing updated statistics on:
• Specialized laying chicken farms and hatcheries, farm capacity, number and size of barns, and data on laying chickens’ production of eggs, such as the number of produced eggs and chicks and volume of sales.
• Number of eggs in hatcheries, type of produced chicks, production volume and sales volumes in laying chicken farms and hatcheries.
• Amount and value of the production requirements of laying hicken farms and hatcheries.
• Other agricultural activities (agricultural crops, livestock) in specialized laying chicken farms and hatcheries projects.
• Land uses of specialized laying chicken farms and hatcheries projects.
In this stage, it was also ensured that the published statistics will contribute to fulfilling Vision 2030 as well as cover regional and international requirements.
Phase 2: Design
Designing the statistical work as a whole comprehensive product by identifying the statistical population, designing the statistical framework, survey sample and form, as well as selecting data collection methods and tools and sampling units. Clients are involved in all of these procedures and their insights are taken into consideration in order to fulfill all their needs and include them in the final statistical product.
This phase’s main outputs are:
1. The statistical population:
The target statistical population of the Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey (Laying Chicken Farms and Hatcheries) consisted of all agricultural holdings in the KSA.
2. Statistical sources:
The data of the Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey (Laying Chicken Farms and Hatcheries) relied on the field visit done by GASTAT for the first time in 2018. The survey falls under the category of “agricultural statistics” and collects data through a representative sample of holding visits spread out across all administrative regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and an electronic form containing multiple questions. Estimates and indicators regarding specialized agricultural projects in the Kingdom are consequently obtained.
3. Specialized Laying Chicken Farms and Hatcheries Projects Survey Terminology and Concepts:
1) Holding:
An economic unit of agricultural production, both plant and animal based, with a single source of management. It includes all the animals in the holding and all the lands used fully or partially for agricultural production regardless of ownership, legal description, or area. The holding may be run by one person alone, a household consisting of two people, two households, or more. The holding’s management has a legal person similar to a company, cooperative, government agency, etc. The holding land may consist of one part or several parts that fall under the same name provided that all parts of the holding share common means of production such as laborers, machines, and agricultural equipment and that the joint means clearly demonstrate that all parts can be considered one economic unit.
2) Holder:
A natural person or a legal person (company or government body) that possesses administrative control over the operation and investment of the agricultural holding. This person makes key decisions regarding the use of available resources, and is in charge of technical and economic responsibilities related to the holding. They may handle all responsibilities by themselves or assign them to other paid managers. If two or more members of the same household manage the same holding, the head of the household is considered the holder.
3) Type of Holding:
Specialized (regulated): This type of holding includes preapproved holdings (projects) that have acquired a license from the concerned authorities after submitting technical and economic studies. These holdings may be specialized in plant based production, animal based production, poultry farming, or fish farming. They may also be projects that primarily adopt modern and non-traditional techniques for agricultural production and that specialize in open field or greenhouse cultivation, dairy farming, fattening farms for calves, sheep, or poultry, or fish farming.
4) Laying Chicken Farms and Hatcheries:
These include the following farms (projects):
1- Laying chicken farms.
2- Parent and grandparent laying chickens.
3- Parent and grandparent broiler chickens.
5) Laying Chicken Farms:
Farms (projects) specializing in egg production, where specific breeds able to turn fodder into eggs are raised.
6) Parent and Grandparent Broiler Chickens:
Farms (projects) specializing in egg hatching, which is used to produce broilers.
7) Grandparent Laying Chicken Farms:
Farms (projects) specializing in egg hatching, which is used to produce parent layers.
8) Grandparent Broiler Chicken Farms:
Farms (projects) specializing in egg hatching, which is used to produce parent broilers.
9) Parent Laying Chickens:
Farms (projects) specializing in egg hatching, which is used to produce layers.
10) Hatcheries:
Farms (projects) specializing in producing different types of broiler, layer or parent chicks. The hatched eggs could be produced by the same farms, bought from other local projects or imported.
11) Table Eggs:
Eggs produced for human consumption by laying chicken farms.
12) Fertilized Hatching Eggs:
Fertilized eggs produced on parent and grandparent chicken farms and used in hatcheries to produce chicks for broiler and layer and parent and grandparent broiler and layer farms.
13) Agricultural Production:
Products made on an agricultural holding, whether plant products, such as crops, vegetables and evergreen trees, or animal products derived from raising livestock.
14) Sold Production:
Production supplied to the market by the farmer and sold for a price, which forms a part of the total production after deducting self-consumed, lost and damaged produce, including crops and plant and animal products. Endowments and produce gifted to someone other than the holder’s family falls within this category.
15) Farm Capacity:
The maximum number of poultry or animals a farm can have and raise on any day in the survey year.
16) Barns:
The place dedicated to raise animals or poultry, which can be separate, specialized buildings.
17) Annual Cycles for Poultry:
The number of productive cycles on the farm during the survey year, which start on day one of the raised chicks’ age and until marketing productive poultry in sale outlets.
4. Indicators:
The Bulletin includes many results and indicators regarding specialized agricultural projects, mainly:
Key Indicators
5. Statistical Classifications Used:
Classification is the process of categorizing data into a set of classes based on similarity. It is the basis for data collection and publishing across statistical fields, such as: (economic activity, products, expenses, jobs, health... etc), since it allows to place data in meaningful categories that lead to useful statistics. Data collection requires accurate and systematic categorization based on similar traits in order to produce reliable and comparable statistics. The Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey data and data classification comply with international standards, and the Bulletin’s terms and concepts are derived from the FAO World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2020.
6. Survey Form Design:
• Field Data Collection Forms: The survey form was drafted and designed by agricultural survey experts at GASTAT. International recommendations, standards, and definitions were considered during the design of these forms, which were presented to agricultural statistics experts and specialists. They were also presented to concerned entities for insight and comments. The questions were redrafted based on a specific scientific approach aimed at unifying the structure of questions asked by researchers.
After the survey form was approved, it was turned into electronic format that could be handled through advanced data collection systems on tablet devices. The system includes the following:
1- Presentation of the field researcher’s work location (survey sample).
2- Access to the sample (agricultural holding) using the device’s maps.
3- High-quality data collection using data and transfer accuracy checks (to automatically identify entry errors and illogical entries at the moment of data collection).
4- Communication between supervising entities by sending and receiving comments to and from the field researcher.
7. Coverage:
1) Spatial Coverage:
The Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey covers data related to specialized agricultural projects in all 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are: Riyadh, Makkah Al Mukarramah, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Al Qaseem, Eastern Region, Aseer, Tabuk, Hail, Northern Borders, Jazan, Najran, Al Bahah, and Al Jawf. All specialized laying chicken farms and hatcheries projects are visited in each region.
2) Temporal Coverage:
The Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey data pertaining to project production and production requirements for specialized agricultural projects is dated back to 2017 (1/1/2017 till 31/12/2017, falling on 3/4/1438 till 13/4/1439 AH).
8. Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey Framework:
1. The Agricultural Census Framework (2015) was used as reference for a list of all society components.
2. The statistical characteristics, specifications, maps and lists for respondent (agricultural holders) selection were identified.
3. The descriptive data required for establishing the statistical framework was specified, and the test framework was established, validated and used for the current survey round.
9. Sample design:
1. The sample framework was designed using comprehensive inventory per administrative region and type of holding (specialized), constituting (761) holdings across the Kingdom.
2. The optimal sample unit selection methodology was chosen to provide high-quality outputs while minimizing data provider effort using well-known statistical methods, such as rotation and controlling overlaps.
3. The descriptive data required for establishing the statistical framework was selected and the sample was specified.
4. The sample was then tested, evaluated, validated and used in the current survey round.
5. The unit of observation for agricultural surveys is the agricultural holding.
Phase 3: Organization
The final preparation stage, preceding visiting agricultural holdings and collecting data. In this stage, the required procedures for constructing the Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey were developed, organized and compiled starting with the Collection Phase and ending with the Evaluation Phase. The optimal procedure sequence was chosen to achieve the survey’s objectives. The procedures were also described and documented to streamline making updates to them in future rounds. The statistical workflow procedures were tested to ensure the fulfillment of the final Agricultural Holdings Survey, then approved, and finally, the implementation roadmap was developed.
This stage was marked by the process of testing the efficiency of the input systems, and survey data synchronization and audit using tablets or desktops.
Phase 4: Collection
Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey Data Collection:
The method of comprehensive inventory was used. All specialized agricultural project holdings in the agricultural statistics (2014/2015), as well as new projects developed after the statistics had been conducted, were visited. Lists of all new projects in each administrative region were obtained through contacting and coordinating with agricultural directorates in MEWA. (761) holdings across the Kingdom were visited in the following manner:
1. Candidates for the positions of field researchers to visit specialized agricultural projects for data collection were selected based on several objective and scientific standards related to the nature of the work.
2. All candidates (GASTAT employees and the employees of some government entities) were trained through special training programs.
3. Direct contact with specialized agricultural projects was adopted as a method to fill the survey form and collect data. The field researchers visited the specialized agricultural projects listed in the survey sample and accessed them through coordinates on the tablets, guiding maps, and the holding’s profile. They were equipped with official documents proving their identity within the statistics project and the aim of the visit. They also provided an overview of the survey and its objectives, and filled-in the forms through verbal discussions with the agricultural holders. In the cases were no holder was available, the data was collected from any member of the holding with knowledge of its affairs.
4. All field researchers used tablet devices to collect the data in the survey form according to a timeline set based on the specialized agricultural projects and their characteristics.
5. Field researchers at work locations across the Kingdom used the “sync” feature on the tablets to download and transfer the collected data on specialized agricultural projects directly to a linked database at the GASTAT headquarters where the data was stored appropriately to be reviewed and consulted at a later stage.
6. Electronic accuracy checks were conducted to guarantee that the data entered in the specialized agricultural projects survey form was coherent, accurate, and logical (electronic formula that identify contradictions). The formula were designed using a logical link between answers on the form and their variations to help field researchers directly identify any errors when collecting data from agricultural holders through the form. The programmed formulae don’t allow any mistakes to go through when an answer contradicts with another piece of information or answer in the form.
7. The authenticity of the collected data was checked by the field researcher, his inspector, and the survey supervisor for the control region. All work locations were monitored and reviewed by the Data Quality Room at the GASTAT headquarters. The Room also controlled and reviewed all field work performances as the data was being collected, from day one until the last working day.
Phase 5: Categorization
The categorization of raw data on the specialized agricultural projects relied on the classification and coding input during the data collection phase, such as the FAO World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2020.
Data from to the Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey has been displayed in tables to facilitate its summarizing, understanding and drawing conclusions from this data, as well as comparing it to other data, observing statistical significance as it relates to the study’s population, and viewing data without the need to go back the original forms. These tables contain information like the names and addresses of specialized agricultural projects, which violates statistical anonymity. In this phase, data was processed through a number of steps, such as:
First: Validating data comprehensiveness and logic:
Data was reviewed to ensure its comprehensiveness and logic, in addition to matching it to ensure its accuracy and correctness in a way that suits the nature of the data. Results were derived and reviewed in the stages following Categorization to enhance the quality and accuracy of the statistics.
Second: Data anonymization:
To ensure data anonymity, GASTAT removed respondent identifiers from the entered data, such as the holder’s name, holding address and other information, in order to protect people’s privacy.
Phase 6: Review
First: Validating data outputs:
After the collected data on specialized agricultural projects was reviewed, results were analyzed and extracted and outputs were uploaded to and stored in the database. Final reviews were then conducted by agricultural statistics specialists using modern techniques and software designed for review and accuracy checks.
Second: Dealing with confidential data:
Pursuant to the Royal Decree No.(23) of 07/12/1397, GASTAT is committed to the complete confidentiality of all collected data, and to not using it except for statistical purposes. Therefore, the data is safely stored and protected on GASTAT’s data servers.
Phase 7: Publishing
First: Preparing results for publishing:
In this stage, GASTAT uploaded the data results to the specialized agricultural projects surveys database. It then prepared publication tables and graphics for data and indicators, and added description and methodology information as seen in this Bulletin. These were prepared in both Arabic and English.
Second: Preparing media content and announcing the Bulletin:
At the start of the Gregorian year, GASTAT announced the dates for issuing the Bulletin through its official website. At this stage, it prepared the media content related to the announcement to be sent to all media outlets and published on its own social media accounts. The announcement will be made on the date of publication and the Bulletin will be initially published on the official website in various forms compatible with Excel. This guarantees its circulation and access to all clients and parties interested in agricultural statistics. The Bulletin will be included in the website’s statistics library.
Third: Communicating with clients and sending them the Bulletin:
GASTAT gives great importance to communicating with clients who use its data. Therefore, upon publication of the Specialized Agricultural Projects Bulletin, GASTAT communicates with clients to provide them with the Bulletin. It also receives questions and enquiries from clients regarding the Bulletin and its results through various communication channels, also used to request data. Enquiries are received through:
- GASTAT website: www.stats.gov.sa
- GASTAT email: info@stats.gov.sa
- Client Support email: cs@stats.gov.sa
- Visiting GASTAT headquarters in Riyadh or one of its branches in the Kingdom.
- Official letters.
- Phone: 920020081
Fourth: Maintaining published content
GASTAT understands the importance of storing collected data in electronic format, therefore, GASTAT Documents and Archives Center stored and archived the data of this Bulletin for ease of retrieval when needed.
Phase 8: Evaluation
After the Bulletin was published and sent to all GASTAT clients, clients are contacted again to evaluate the whole statistical process for continuous improvement and in order to obtain high-quality data. Improvements may be applied to approaches, processes, systems, statistical specialist skills, and statistical frameworks. This phase is done in cooperation with data users and GASTAT clients in the following steps:
First: Collecting quantitative assessment inputs:
Key feedback is collected and documented across phases, including the Collection Phase, such as the comments and feedback received from data collectors and field supervisors, and the Review Phase, such as feedback received from field data review, audit and analysis experts. Finally, feedback is collected from data users after publishing and documented, in addition to media and client feedback GASTAT receives through its main channels.
Second: Conducting evaluation:
The collected evaluation input was analyzed, and the results of this analysis were compared to previous expectations. Accordingly, potential improvements and solutions were identified and discussed with experts and stakeholders were involved. In this stage, the performance of clients’ use of the survey results and their satisfaction is measured. Based on that, recommendations are developed to enhance the quality of the next survey data results.
Phase 9: Management
A comprehensive stage that spans over all survey production phases. This stage determines the general production plan, including the case study, risk management, funding, spending mechanisms, KPIs and quality parameters, the required HR plan for production, as well as following up on the tasks assigned to each department in each phase and preparing reports to ensure that GASTAT fulfills its commitments towards its clients.
God is the Arbiter of Success