On Wednesday (December 3), the training of agents who will participate in the pre-test of the 12th Census of Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture was carried out in the city of Bacabal (MA). This training is part of the training of the enumerators who will work on data collection.

The role of enumerators will be performed by Survey and Mapping Agents (APMs) in each selected municipality or Federation Unit.

APM Márcio Gomes, who will work on the Census in Maranhão, highlighted the points covered in the training. “We were able to better understand the questionnaire that will be applied, how to use the Data Collection Mobile Device (DMC), which presents new functions, such as the route system and geolocation,” stated him.

Gomes also added learning about how to collect in areas of Traditional Peoples and Communities (PCTs), as these areas will have greater relevance in the Census of Agriculture scheduled to take place in 2027.

Pre-test in Maranhão

In the basic project of the 12th Census of Agriculture, four tests are planned: 1) pilot test I; 2) pilot test II; 3) experimental census and 4) implementation/approval test.

Therefore, Pilot Test I is one of the tests carried out within the 12th Census of Agriculture. This is a crucial step to evaluate the validity and effectiveness of the training instruments, technologies and approaches incorporated in the new census project. It is also essential for testing the questionnaire and protocols, as well as assisting in the development of the questionnaire application and management systems.

In Maranhão, specifically in the city of Bacabal, Pilot Test I will only take place for Traditional Peoples and Communities (PCTs), as explained by the operational coordinator of the test, Gustavo Pereira:
“We will only work in PCTs areas. Yesterday, December 3, we carried out training for enumerators and today, December 4, we began field work, which will last until December 12,” stated him.

Also according to the coordinator, the objective of the pre-test is to verify, in practice, what needs to be improved for the Census of Agriculture. “The objective is to carry out tests on both the equipment, the DMC system, the software developed for the Census, and the questionnaires. We will only make visits to some pre-selected enumeration areas, without the aim of finalizing them, but seeking to obtain as many interviews as possible during this testing period,” pointed him out.

L