Crop Data

This is the complete, and most recent South African ag stat database as of today.  It has 2,510 rows and covers the period between 1981 and 2022.  All pre-existing ag data should be deleted and replaced with what is in this database.

The spreadsheet has 6 tabs: data, METADATA, crop, FNID, season, notes, adminevolution. The Metadata tab includes some pre-existing metadata that should be deleted and replaced with new metadata shown in this tab.

Cropping season dates have been repaired here.  

Admin reporting unit name changes occurred between 1994 and 2003. However, there were no changes in boundaries. Thus, we have only created 1 admin boundary set which is dated as 1994.

For other purposes, and to have a record, the actual changes in admin/political boundaries are mapped out in the AdminEvolution tab.

Historical ag data were re-compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture Ag Stat office to match the 1994 boundaries. 

The “developing sector” was how official ag stats refer to all small-holder (or “non-commercial”) ag production. Except for a few scattered years, there is no way to break it down by location. 

FEWS NET accessed the official RSA Statistics Directorate database, with their help, on 3/22/16.  The "FEWS NET correction", notation reflects a Source Doc error corrected in the FEWS data. The error was confirmed with the Head of the RSA Statistics Directorate, Rona Beuk es. She acknowledged it but said they can't change the official record because there is no official procedure to do so. 

Ag stat source docs may be found at:  https://www.sagis.org.za

FYI: For each crop, there are multiple (5-8) estimates throughout the year. Summer crop estimates are generally finalized in Sept-November period, and Winter crops in Feb or May of the next year.

Historical data were re-compiled by the RSA/ZA Ag Stat office to fit the new 1994 boundaries. The "developing sector" was how they tabulated all small-holder ag production prior to 1994. There is no way to break it down by location.

To have a record, the actual changes in admin/political boundaries are mapped out in the Admin Evolution tab.

The RSA Statistics Directorate database source was accessed 3/22/16, in dialogue with the AgStat office.

"FEWS NET correction", as a Source, was confirmed with RSA Statistics Directorate. They acknowledge the error, but can't change the official record.

For each crop, there are multiple (5-7) official estimates throughout the year. Summer crop estimates are generally finalized in Sept-November period, and Winter crops in Feb or May of the next year.

Dominant Livelihood Zone = "Commercial", most large farms in SA, and "Developing" which are generally small, subsistence-based farms.