China will conduct its third national agriculture survey in 2016, following surveys in 1997 and 2006.The survey will collect basic information about agriculture, rural areas and farmers. The data will be used by the central authorities to inform decisions, according to a statement released on Monday by the State Council, China's cabinet.

The survey is expected to focus on primary industry employment; land use and transfer; agricultural production and structure; large-scale farming; and industrial management of agriculture, it said.