Area frame sampling survey within the EC
The European Commission, DG VI, has launched an invitation to tender for area frame sampling surveys to be carried out within the framework of the MARS project (monitoring agriculture by remote sensing). Within the framework of the MARS project, information collected on the ground is useful to calibrate the image interpretation for area estimates, as well as serving as an independent indicator of agricultural production parameters. The ground surveys, based on the area frame sampling method, are composed of two main parts: an acreage survey and a yield survey. The acreage survey will be realized on 60 predetermined sites distributed within the Member States, whereas the yield survey is restricted to 12 of those sites and based on interviews with farmers in the sampled segments. In addition, for each of the 60 sites, the contractors will be requested to contact regional agricultural experts for information on crop development and expected yields and to forward this to the Joint Research Centre on four specific dates. The Commission is calling for proposals relating to the implementation of this activity in 1997. Tenderers may propose carrying out this activity in one or more Member States in the terms specified in the tender document. Tender documents may be obtained from: European Commission DG VI - Agriculture Mr. Saverio Torcasio Unit A/2 - Quantitative analysis, statistics, forecasts, remote sensing 200 rue de la Loi (L-130) B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32-2-2953440; Fax +32-2-2958453 Completed tenders should be sent to the above address.