Abstract

Agricultural censuses are a fundamental source of information for agricultural policies, food security strategies, and rural development programs. Their success depends on both wide coverage and high-quality data. Rising costs, unequal digital access, and declining response rates have made it increasingly difficult to rely on traditional methods alone. Against this background, the 2025 Agricultural Census of Türkiye provided an important opportunity to apply innovative data collection approaches and test new solutions.

Since 2013, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) has used the Harzemli Platform in all of its data collection processes. Based on the Data Documentation Initiative (DDI) standard, Harzemli enables generic questionnaire design and centralized metadata management, providing flexibility and consistency across surveys. In the 2025 Agricultural Census, Harzemli was further enhanced with a new feature: integration with the national e-Government portal (e-Devlet). Through this integration, farmers could securely authenticate with their national ID credentials and complete the census questionnaire online.

The 2025 Agricultural Census marked the first use of a hybrid data collection strategy in Türkiye’s agricultural censuses. Three options were offered within a single digital infrastructure: telephone interviews (CATI), assisted data entry at district agricultural offices, and self-administered online questionnaires via e-Government. Among these, the e-Government channel was the most innovative, as it allowed every citizen, including farmers, to participate easily at any time and from any location with internet access. Secure identity verification ensured data protection, while the online system provided faster and more convenient data entry for respondents and more efficient processing for the institution. Allowing farmers to choose their preferred method of participation improved both inclusiveness and flexibility, while Harzemli ensured consistency in questionnaire content and metadata across all modes.

Preliminary results show that the hybrid design increased both coverage and response rates compared to previous censuses. Participation through the e-Government portal exceeded expectations, reducing field workload and administrative costs. At the same time, CATI and assisted office-based entries made it possible to reach farmers with limited digital access, ensuring that the entire farming population was covered. This balance of efficiency and inclusiveness demonstrated how national digital infrastructures can reshape official data collection practices.

The 2025 Agricultural Census showed how a well-established digital platform can be adapted to new challenges by integrating with modern e-government services. By offering secure, user-friendly, and flexible participation channels, the census strengthened trust in the statistical process and accelerated the production of agricultural data. Türkiye’s experience provides a valuable model for other countries seeking innovative and sustainable approaches in agricultural statistics and demonstrates that agricultural censuses can successfully embrace digital innovation while reaching all segments of the target population.