Census of Agriculture American Samoa & Guam: 2023 Key Data Insights

2023 Census of Agriculture American Samoa & Guam – An Authoritative Industry Pulse

This April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its much-anticipated Census of Agriculture American Samoa & Guam: 2023 Key Data Insights. As the cornerstone for agricultural statistics on these Pacific islands, this census — conducted every five years — shapes industry policies, guides funding, and promotes both growth and sustainability for local farm communities. We recognize the dedication of producers who shared their stories and data, enabling us to draw a comprehensive, impartial picture of island agriculture in 2023.

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the new NASS agriculture data, provide authoritative agricultural statistics analysis, and illustrate how these findings inform crucial industry trends and policy decisions across American Samoa and Guam.

Understanding NASS Agriculture Data: Importance & How The Census Is Conducted

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is the driving force behind collecting, analyzing, and publishing agricultural statistics in the United States and its territories. Every five years, NASS conducts the Census of Agriculture, the most comprehensive source of farming data at the island level. For producers in American Samoa and Guam, participation in the census is vital—it ensures every farm’s contribution is recognized for federal and local government funding, program development, and tailored support.

• Scope: The census covers every farm—large and small—that produces or raises agricultural products for sale or home consumption in American Samoa, or that has sold or normally would have sold $1,000 or more worth of products in Guam, in 2023.
• Confidentiality: All statistics published by NASS remain completely impartial and confidential, used exclusively for research, funding, and policy making.
• Impact: The data drives decisions for producers, governments, agribusinesses, organizations, and even infrastructure planning (from farming equipment upgrades to high-speed internet for rural communities).

Census of Agriculture American Samoa: 2023 Highlights

The Census of Agriculture American Samoa report illuminates a dynamic island farming scene:

• 15% Increase in Farm Operations since the last census, now totaling over 1,200 agricultural operations.
• Farms are defined by any place raising or producing agricultural products for sale or household consumption, highlighting the deeply embedded practice of subsistence and market farming.
• Diversification in products—ranging from root vegetables, bananas, taro, yams, breadfruit, and tropical fruits to livestock like pigs and poultry—remains the hallmark of American Samoa’s resilience.
• Local and federal governments, along with agribusinesses and organizations, are using this NASS data for policy making, resource allocation, and agricultural research funding.
• Significant investment is being directed toward improving farming techniques, upgrading equipment, and expanding production systems in response to both growth and recent natural disasters.
• Internet infrastructure continues to be a development focus, as island farmers increasingly depend on connectivity for accessing market information, precision agriculture tools, and disaster response alerts.

The census data also supports better preparation, response, and recovery assistance for natural disasters, fostering a more resilient agricultural industry.

2023 Census of Agriculture Guam: Key Data and Industry Trends

The Census of Agriculture Guam employs a clear definition—a farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold during the census year. Guam’s agricultural industry is experiencing notable transformation:

• 10% Increase in Harvested Cropland since the previous census, indicating strong momentum in agricultural productivity and land use.
• Key products: Papayas, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, sweet corn, tomatoes, bananas, mangoes, taro, livestock (chickens, swine, cattle, goats).
• Statistics from the new NASS report reveal a steady shift toward diversified, high-value crops, prompted by market demand and support for sustainable farming techniques.
• Improvements in production systems and equipment are visible; market-connected farming and infrastructure upgrades are being linked directly to census-driven funding and research programs.
• Guam’s local and federal governments use this impartial, island-level data to develop programs for natural disaster preparation, recovery, and modernizing agricultural practices.

Comparative Summary Table of Key Agricultural Statistics: American Samoa vs. Guam (2023)

For industry stakeholders and policymakers, it’s critical to see American Samoa and Guam’s agricultural statistics side by side. Our summary table presents findings from the 2023 census, spotlighting changes and enabling quick, actionable insights.

Note: All figures sourced from NASS 2023 Census of Agriculture American Samoa and Guam. Numbers are rounded for clarity; percentage changes are relative to the 2018 census data.

The Power of Agriculture Data for Policy Making, Growth & Sustainability

The 2023 Census of Agriculture reveals not just raw numbers but island-wide trends with significant implications:

• Policy Making: Federal and local governments leverage agriculture data for program eligibility, disaster preparedness, subsidy allocation, and sector-specific policies—ensuring that both large and small producers are justly represented and supported.
• Resource Allocation: Changes in farm numbers, acreage, or production types guide funding for research, training, modern equipment, and expanded fleet management tools that streamline farm logistics across rugged island terrains.
• Industry Growth: Trend insights help agribusinesses and policy makers prioritize value-added sectors, improve sustainability with carbon footprinting, and focus on diversified, resilient production.
• Sustainability: NASS agricultural statistics are pivotal for sustainable farming techniques, resource conservation, and disaster risk reduction across American Samoa and Guam.

How Farmonaut’s Advanced Solutions Empower Agriculture Data & Growth

Harnessing the digital revolution in farming, Farmonaut rises as a pivotal platform for precision agriculture in island economies. Our mission is to democratize access to advanced, satellite and AI-powered farm management so all producers—irrespective of size—can utilize real-time agriculture data for policy making, sustainability, and increased productivity.

• Satellite-Based Crop Health Monitoring: We deliver actionable NASS-level insights—crop health indices (NDVI), soil moisture, pest risk—direct to the hands of farmers, enabling smarter, adaptive farming and efficient resource use.
• AI Advisory Systems: Farmonaut’s Jeevn AI tool interprets satellite and weather data to provide personalized farm advice, maximizing yield while safeguarding natural resources and lowering operational costs.
• Blockchain-Driven Traceability: Our blockchain solution ensures each agricultural product’s journey—from farm to consumer—is transparent, secure, and verifiable. This is critical for food safety and compliance, particularly in export-driven sectors. Learn how traceability strengthens island agriculture here.
• Resource & Fleet Management: By optimizing vehicle usage and machinery allocation, we help producers lower costs and reduce environmental impact. Explore our fleet management solutions for remote farms.
• Carbon Footprinting & Sustainability: Farmonaut assists agribusinesses in monitoring carbon footprints, aligning island agriculture growth with the global push for climate-resilient farming. Dive deeper into carbon footprinting here

For governments and large-scale managers, the Farmonaut platform provides scalable tools for large-scale farm management, facilitating everything from remote crop estimation to subsidy distribution and disaster assessment.

Access to this technology is available via web, Android, and iOS apps, as well as direct API integration for developers and institutional users:

– Farmonaut API

– API Developer Docs

Digital Infrastructure, Programs & Disaster Response: Census-Driven Funding

Both American Samoa and Guam are directing census-driven funding and program expansion to improve agriculture infrastructure. Top priorities identified through the census:

• Expanding High-Speed Internet: The digital divide hampers efficient farming. Access to technology platforms such as Farmonaut is being scaled through improved connectivity, identified as crucial by census feedback.
• Modern Equipment Upgrades: Up-to-date machinery and irrigation systems are investments prioritized through allocation of federal and local government resources, informed by NASS data.
• Production & Distribution Systems: Census statistics offer precise inputs for building stronger logistics (including use of fleet management tools) and better farm-to-market channels, vital for both islands’ farm economy advancement.
• Natural Disaster Preparedness: Updated agricultural statistics help design disaster response and recovery assistance, improving producers’ ability to withstand and rebound from cyclones, typhoons, and other natural risks.

For farmers, these improvements mean timely support, better recovery from events, and a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector.

Future Trends: The Next Five Years for Island Agriculture

Our analysis of the 2023 Census of Agriculture American Samoa & Guam indicates several clear trends that will shape island farming in the years ahead:

• Technological Adoption: Uptake of satellite and AI-powered monitoring (e.g., via platforms like Farmonaut) is forecasted to climb as both islands close the digital divide and prioritize smart agriculture.
• Climate and Sustainability Initiatives: Farm-level carbon tracking and sustainable practices will become essential for compliance and market access, especially for export-oriented farmers.
• Market Diversification: More producers will add specialty fruits, high-value vegetables, and livestock to their portfolios as advised by NASS data insights and government programs.
• Disaster Resilience: Farm management will focus more than ever on disaster adaptation—both in field operations and supply chain readiness.
• Access to Financing: Satellite-based crop verification will simplify lending and insurance for island farmers, improving access to credit and fair protection against losses. Explore Farmonaut’s crop loan & insurance verification tools

Frequently Asked Questions: 2023 Island Agriculture Census

Farmonaut Subscription Options: Affordable Precision for Every Island Producer

Farmonaut offers flexible, scalable subscription-based access to real-time agriculture data, satellite insights, AI advisories, crop traceability, and resource management tools — tailored for individual farms, cooperatives, agribusinesses, and government institutions across American Samoa, Guam, and worldwide.

Our pricing adapts to your acreage and update frequency needs, ensuring sustainable technology adoption without heavy investments in hardware. Access options include intuitive web and mobile apps, with further integrations via our robust API.

Conclusion: 2023 Agriculture Data Powers Resilient, Sustainable Island Growth

The 2023 Census of Agriculture American Samoa & Guam is not just a statistical exercise—it’s a powerful roadmap for the future of island agriculture. These detailed, impartial statistics inform every aspect of industry development, from research and funding to disaster response and future technology adoption.

As we collectively move toward resilient, inclusive, and sustainable farming systems, the integration of advanced platforms such as Farmonaut with NASS agriculture data ensures that no producer is left behind. Now more than ever, embracing these insights—and the technology to interpret them—is key to continued growth for all American Samoa and Guam agricultural producers.

Ready to modernize your island farming operation? Download our app or explore our API to get started with precision agriculture that’s affordable, scalable, and designed for your unique environment.

For the most authoritative and comprehensive information, always consult the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture reports and stay tuned to Farmonaut for solutions that propel your farm into the future.