CSB begins data collection for 2023 farmer survey

The Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) has begun collecting data for the 2023 Integrated Farm Statistics Survey. The survey will involve 22 thousand randomly selected farms that have received an invitation from the Central Statistical Office. The sample includes economically active farms that manage more than 1 ha of agricultural land and their standard output¹ is greater than 70 euros.

Data collection will take place from September 18 to December 5 online and via telephone interviews, as well as in person if the respondent has not provided data. Telephone interviews will continue after the online survey closes from December 6 to January 15.

The survey aims to obtain information on farms that are engaged in agricultural production – managing agricultural land or raising farm animals, or maintaining land in good agricultural and environmental condition, regardless of whether they manage land they own or rent from other farmers.

Farmers will only have to provide data that is not available in the registers of the Rural Support Service and the Agricultural Data Centre.

The survey will update basic farm information – general information on the number of farms, their structure, agricultural land use, agricultural workers and other farm activities, as well as obtain new information on soil cultivation and fertility preservation methods, apple tree plantation areas, machinery and equipment used in agriculture.

Respondents included in the sample will receive a letter from the CSB inviting them to participate in the survey and provide data online at e.csp.gov.lv or wait for a call from the interviewer. Respondents who will have received an invitation to provide data online in the CSB electronic data collection system https://e.csp.gov.lv , you will be able to use your existing system username and password for authorization or register as a new user.

The Integrated Farm Statistics Survey is carried out every three years between agricultural censuses, which are carried out in all countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area, including Latvia. The data obtained will provide the necessary information on the structure of agricultural holdings and will be the basis for the analysis of the agricultural sector and decision-making on agricultural policy and rural development in Latvia and the European Union.

In accordance with the Statistics Law, the information provided by the CSB is not disclosed, and the information obtained will be used only in aggregate form.

More information on the legal basis and progress of the 2023 Integrated Farm Statistics Survey can be obtained from CSB website.