Policy Issues Associated with the Utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS) in the U.S. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

摘要

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for conducting the Census of Agriculture (at 5-year intervals, 1997 is the current Census year) and a very extensive survey program to support the publishing of all official current agricultural statistics for the United States (U.S.). In order to fulfill its complex mission, the NASS staff has utilized numerous statistical and technological tools over the last 135 years of its existence. Some historic tools were: use of rural postal route and postcard surveys, design and use of mechanical crop meters which calculated percent of different crops along rural road routes, construction and utilization of area sampling frames, design and use of objective crop yield survey techniques, construction and use of a list sampling frame, combination of list and area sampling and estimation techniques known widely as multiple frame sampling, use of statistical software systems, development and use of computer assisted data collection techniques such as computer assisted telephone interviewing, and use of space borne remotely sensed data to supplement and aid in area frame construction, crop area estimation and crop monitoring. Even with all these tools added to the tool kit over the decades, the primary source of data remains as farmer and agribusiness reported data. 2. Geographic information systems technology is one of the more recent tools in the tool kit and NASS staff are just beginning to tap some of the potential benefits of this new tool. Another relatively new tool being utilized by NASS staff is data warehousing and extraction software. An important concept is to not get too caught up with a new tool as a potential panacea. As with any new tool, it is important to know what problems it can help solve and also to be trained on the proper use of that tool, as well as all the other necessary tools. 3. The first question to answer is, What is the appropriate role for GIS technology in the U.S. agricultural statistics system. NASS research staff began the search for this answer in 1990 by procuring GIS software, hardware and peripherals and also acquiring training in GIS principles and software utilization proficiency. There were two major categories of potential GIS use in NASS. The two categories were: spatial or geographic data displays, and survey sampling and/or estimation.