The Department of Census and Statistics has commenced collecting information on agricultural activities under Sri Lanka’s first e-Census (e-Census 2026), which is being conducted for the years 2025/2026.
The data collection will take place islandwide from 1 October to 15 December.
The Department of Census and Statistics has requested the public to cooperate by providing accurate information to census officers.
The main objective of this national initiative is to establish an up-to-date, accurate and reliable statistical database on agricultural economic activities in Sri Lanka.
Up-to-date and reliable data are essential for achieving a country’s economic development goals, formulating effective policies and making informed decisions.
The information collected through this census will be particularly important in identifying the current status and structure of the agricultural sector, its production capacity and its future development needs.
The census is being conducted in accordance with the guidelines and with the technical assistance of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
This is expected to help ensure the quality and accuracy of the data collected.
Under this census, information will be collected on major crops, including paddy, tea, coconut, rubber, cinnamon and pepper.
Data will also be collected on vegetable, fruit and grain cultivation.
In addition, information will be gathered on livestock farming, agricultural holdings, cultivated land, agricultural equipment and the resources used for agricultural activities.
The data collection process will also cover areas such as plant nurseries, irrigation methods, the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, breeding activities and animal reproduction.
By covering this wide range of agricultural activities, the census will enable the compilation of a comprehensive and up-to-date database on the country’s agricultural sector.
The agricultural census under the 2025/2026 Economic Census is expected to cover the 2025/2026 Maha season and the 2026 Yala season.
Information will be collected on the extent of cultivation, land use, agricultural inputs, livestock and infrastructure.
These data are expected to provide an important foundation for increasing agricultural production, using resources efficiently and identifying existing problems in the sector.
A key feature of this census is the use of modern information technology and the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) method instead of traditional printed questionnaires.
Accordingly, data will be collected using tablet computers.
Two questionnaires will be used for this purpose.
This method is expected to make the data collection process more efficient and cost-effective while improving the accuracy and timeliness of the information.
Nearly Rs. 2 billion is expected to be spent on the census.
Approximately 15,000 officers and 16,000 tablet computers will be deployed for the exercise.
Under the supervision of officers from district statistics offices, officials will visit households and institutions to collect information.
These officials will include agricultural research officers, Grama Niladharis, Praja Shakthi officers and economic census officers.
The confidentiality of all information collected during the census will be fully protected under the Census Ordinance and the Statistics Ordinance.
The public is therefore urged to contribute to the success of this national initiative by providing accurate information to census officers.
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