Crop yield estimation at block level using farmerst estimates*

Abstract

The random sampling crop cutting surveys developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi are being utilized by various State Governments to provide estimates of average crop yield at district level with reasonable degree of precision. However, with growing emphasis on micro levels planning the administrators are asking for estimators at much smaller level (eg, block). The present crop cutting approach is not feasible for providing estimates at the block level. An alternative technique involving 2-phased sampling is proposed. Besides obtaining crop yield from crop cutting surveys, yield of the crop is obtained from farmer by inquiry from an independent sample. The merits of the proposed technique are illustrated empirically with the help of data collected through a survey in the year 1999 on wheat crop in the Kamal district of Haryana.