Division of Sample Surveys has developed various sampling methodologies for estimation of important parameters in agriculture. The sampling methodologies developed in the division are being used in the entire country as well as some of the developing countries. Development of suitable sample survey methodologies for estimation of various parameters in crops, livestock, fisheries production and allied fields have always been one of the most important activities of the division from the very beginning. The division was instrumental in the development of sample survey methodology for crop production estimation through crop cutting approach which formed a sound objective method of estimating crop production in the country, estimation of livestock numbers, products and attendant practices, the extent of cultivation and production of fruits and vegetables, estimation of plantation crops like areca nut, coconut, cashew nut, estimation of fish catch both from marine and inland resources, estimation of cost of production of crops as well as livestock products, evaluation studies such as assessment of development programmes like IADP, HYVP, dairy improvement programmes, etc. were other important contributions of the Institute. Most of the methodologies evolved by the division are being adopted for estimation of respective commodities by the concerned departments in the various states and this work is being coordinated by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics and other concerned Wings of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. Some of these methodologies have been internationally used

The division has made significant contributions in many areas of basic research in sampling techniques such as successive sampling, systematic sampling, cluster sampling, component sampling, sampling with varying probabilities, controlled selection, non-sampling errors, various methods of estimation such as ratio and regression methods, analysis of survey data, etc. The use of combinatorics (or experimental designs) in sample surveys has also led to some useful contributions, particularly for variance estimation in large scale complex surveys and varying probability selection procedures. Useful contributions have also been made in the categorical data analysis and variance estimation using re-sampling techniques like Jackknife technique and Balanced Repeated Replications. Studies on small area estimation for local-level planning and regression analysis of survey data have also been taken up.

Besides this the division has the expertise to provide Consultancy services in Sample surveys for Estimation of parameters of Interest in Crop, Livestock, Fisheries, Horticultural Crops, Vegetables and Allied fields, estimation of Area and Production, Cost of Production Studies, Assessment and Evaluation Studies, Post Production Studies, and Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Agricultural surveys.