planners~ needs are a function of: (i) the overall policy orien­ tations; (ii) the development tar~~ts; and (iii) the planning method­ ology in use. The data collected must be in fine with the overall policy orien­ tation which reflects the value structure of the decision makers. The same target wan not be reached in the same way in two different soci­ o-pol it icat systems and the data requirements wi II be di ·ffe~ent: if the target is, for example wheat production increase. in a fr·ee market economy the statistician wit1 put the emphasis on production costs structure and price elasticities; in a centraJl y planned economy 9 how­ ever~ has efforts will be devoted to the collection of information on the physical constraints which could oe an obstacle to the implementa­ tion of the governmental measun~s. Data collected for decision-making must have a social theory base; in other words. data co11ection is not, and must not. be adeoloqica1Jy neutral. Beinq aware of the importance of the ideotogica1 dimension will help the statistician to tune the data collection to t~e specific objectives of the decision makers and thei.-development targets. Jhe folt()winy paqes wi 1t focus on a more technical aspect influ­ encing the design of the data collection proqrammes for agricu1tural 1 -z - planning: the planning methodology. Indeed the tec~liques used by the planne~s a~e. with the definition of the objectives. the determi­ n~nt factors to be taken into conside~ation when preparing a aata col­ fection prog~a!Hlew One can rough1y distinguish th~ee different techniques of plan- nang: 1. lhe subjective or qualitative planning procedures; z. The fo~malized or quantitative procedures; J. The monitoring and evaluation procedures~ fhe very nature of each of these procedures defines the type, the quantity and the quality of the data to be collected. Because the 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of considering the overall policy orientation, development targets, and planning methodology when collecting data for decision-making in agricultural planning. It highlights the need for data to be based on a social theory and to be tailored to the specific objectives of the decision-makers. The text also mentions the different techniques used in planning, including subjective, formalized, and monitoring and evaluation procedures. Given the focus on agricultural planning and the emphasis on policy orientation and planning methodology, it is likely that the text is related to a category that encompasses economic development and agricultural planning.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Economic development