An analysis of the response behaviour of farms in the Farm Structure Survey

Abstract

The 2023 edition of the Farm Structure Survey is a sample survey that includes approximately 100,000 agricultural and livestock units registered in the Farm Register. This survey was conducted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1091/2018 of the European Parliament and of the Council, following an organizational model based on collaboration among several private entities.

Thanks to an agreement with Istat, the Agricultural Assistance Centras (CAA) played a crucial role in the survey activities, acting as intermediaries in the data collection for various agricultural surveys. Operators affiliated with CAAs have a privileged relationship with farms due to their ongoing activities and possess specialized training in agricultural matters.

Data collection was carried out using a combination of two survey techniques to optimize costs and minimize the statistical burden on respondents. Farms were given the option to complete the questionnaire online via CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing). Non-responding units were subsequently contacted by an operator who administered the questionnaire using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing).

The objective of this work is to analyse the possible links between the characteristics of farms and their response behaviour, also in relation to the possible effects of actions taken to encourage participation.