29 Gedimino Ave.

LT-01500 Vilnius, Lithuania

The FSS 2016 was carried out for the following purposes: to get information about the structure and typology of agricultural farms and their agricultural activities in Lithuania; to assess the changes in comparison with the results of the Farm Structure Survey 2013;  to get a detailed data for analysis of the development of agriculture in Lithuania and agricultural development potential. 

The FSS 2005 took place on 1–22 June 2005 and the sample size was 65579.  The FSS 2007 data collection took place on 1–29 June 2007 and the sample size was 60888. The FSS 2013 data collection took place 15 September - 30 November 2013 and the sample size was 45752.  The sample size of the FSS 2016 was 45928. All those surveys were prepared in order to estimate the number of holdings and their distribution by category in regional administrative units, to receive data on farming purposes, land used, utilised agricultural area, arable land, agricultural crop area, fruit and berry fields, pastures and meadows, farm livestock, other gainful activities of the holding, and to find out the number of persons employed and the duration of their employment.

The main national legal acts were as follows:

• Law on Statistics of the Republic of Lithuania;
• Order No DĮ-289 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania of 19 December 2016 on the approval of a methodology for the Farm Structure Survey 2016;
• Order No DĮ-77 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania of 5 April 2016 on the approval of a Farm Structure Survey 2016  farmers' and family farms questionnaire;
• Order No DĮ-94 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania of 28 April 2016 on the approval of a Farm Structure Survey 2016 agricultural companies and enterprices questionnaire;
• Order No DĮ-83 of 13 April 2016 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania on the approval of the work plan for the Farm Structure Survey 2016.

The national legislation deals with the scope and coverage, frequency of the FSS and time reference, responsibility for the FSS, administrative and financial provisions, obligations of respondents with respect to the FSS, identification, protection and obligations of enumerators, right of access to administrative data, confidentiality.

According to the Law on Statistics of the Republic of Lithuania, legal persons as well as natural persons must gratuitously provide statistical data in order to ensure the implementation of the Official Statistical Work Program.

UAA - Utilised Agricultural Area

IACS - Integrated Administration and Control System

During the FSS 2016 it was planned to survey 45928 farms, of which 920 legal persons and 45008 natural persons. The sample was made for the natural persons' survey. Totally almost 25 percent of all holdings in Lithuania were surveyed. It was estimated that there were 150317 holdings in 2016 in Lithuania (of which 149461 holdings and 856 agricultural companies and enterprises).

During the FSS 2016 data were collected from all farms in the sample. However, some farms which were involved in the FSS 2016 population (and in the sample) sold or rented their land and became smaller than 1 ha. Therefore, after data collection additional estimations were done and farms which have fallen below the threshold (1 ha of UAA or EUR 1520 income from agricultural activity) were determined. These farms were excluded from the further estimations.

All holdings with the characteristics mentioned in Annex II of Regulation No 1166/2008 are covered.

To estimate the income from agricultural activity the following formula is used: Income_crops= Harvest of agricultural crop t/ha X Purchase price Eur/t (for crops) and Income_animals= Live weight t X Purchase price Eur/t (for livestock). Minimum threshold is established this way: 1520/ Income_crops or 1520/ Income_animals.

* Threshold from Regulation No 1166/2008

**There is no purchase price for pig breeding sows, sheep and goats breeding females, thus the possible income (sales of younger animals, wool, milk, meat, etc.) were analysed.

More detailed analysis is done while updating the population before the survey.

Provided information on harvest is taken from the Crop production statistics, live weight of livestock – from Animal Statistics, Purchase prices from Purchase of agricultural products statistics. This table presents the result of the threshold setting in 2016.

It was estimated that there were 150317 holdings in 2016 in Lithuania (of which 149461 holdings and 856 agricultural companies and enterprises).

It was estimated that there were 150317 holdings in 2016 in Lithuania (of which 149461 holdings and 856 agricultural companies and enterprises).

For those agricultural holdings, which had less than 1 ha of utilized agricultural land, the threshold for income from agricultural production sales was no less than EUR 1520 per year. Therefore, all agricultural holdings having at least 0.47 ha of fresh vegetables, strawberries, which are outdoors or under low (not accessible) protective cover, or 0.04 fresh vegetables, strawberries, flowers and ornamental plants under glass or other (accessible) protective cover, or 3 heads of cattle, or 13 heads of pigs (all), or 6 heads of pigs breeding females, or 20 heads of sheep (all), or 20 heads of goats (all), or 645 heads of poultry were included in the FSS 2016 population. Thus, the requirements from art. 3.3 of Regulation 1166/2008 are met. There were no agricultural holdings with tobacco and cotton in Lithuania. Also, only one agricultural holding has hops and this holding was involved in the survey sample.

According to the FSS 2016 methodology, the farm centre refers to a place where all or the major part of a farm’s agricultural production is produced. The following places may be considered to be a farm centre:

- a farm building where animals are kept or another building (structure) used for agricultural production, e.g. a greenhouse, if all or the major part of the farm’s agricultural production is produced therein;

- the largest area of the farm’s arable land (in case there is no agricultural building to which a location of the holding could be attributed);

- the farmer’s place of residence if it is located no more than 5 km from the place where all or the major part of the farm’s agricultural production is produced.

Each farm holder had to decide which criteria for defining of farm centre is most appropriate for him and had to indicate the municipality of their farm centre. 

The reference period for land characteristics was 12 months ending on the reference day 1 June 2016.

The reference period for information on the use of support from the Rural Development Programme – 2014–2016.

The remaining data refers to the 12 months ending on the reference day 1 June 2016.

The market research company selected during the public procurement procedure was responsible for the data collection from farmers’ and family farms. The interviewers were trained by the employees of Statistics Lithuania responsible for the FSS 2016.

All population of agricultural holdings was divided into two lists – list with farmers' and family farms and list with agricultural companies and enterprises.

The sampling frame was a list frame of farmers' and family farms. The quality of this list was checked and some corrections have been done after comparison with the Population Register and Address Register.

The full scale survey was carried out for agricultural companies and enterprises.

There were 6 strata of standard output and 52 strata of municipalities for farmers' and family farms. The total number of strata was 310. Farmers' and family farms were stratified into 309 strata (including the strata with probability equal 1), for all agricultural companies and enterprises one strata (strata 310) was composed (whereas all companies and enterprises were selected, strata 310 was with probability 1).

• agricultural companies and enterprises,
• organic farms,
• holdings with special crops (e.g. nut trees, nurseries, perennial plants for twining, weaving, energy purposes, flax and etc.),

• holdings growing ostriches,

• holdings with standard output of more than EUR 10 000.

During the FSS 2016, organic farming characteristics were taken from the Organic Farming Register directly (without questioning agricultural holdings).

A public institution Ekoagros performs certification of organic farms.

The Organic Farming Register is updated each year.

Reference day – 31 December 2016.

The legal basis of the Organic Farming Register is as follows:

• Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products;
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 of 5 September 2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control;

Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) Crop Declaration Database:

IACS Crop Declaration Database consists of agricultural holdings (both natural and legal persons) which declare their UAA. This database is maintained by a State Enterprise Agricultural Information and Rural Business Centre.

IACS Crop Declaration Database is updated each year. 

During the FSS 2016, data from IACS Crop Declaration Database were used for prefilling the FSS 2016 questionnaires for agricultural companies and enterprises and for direct entering the data for farmers’ and family farms (without direct questioning), which have declared their UAA in 2016.

Reference year – 2016.

The legal basis of the IACS is as follows:

• Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of  the Council of 17 December 2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 352/78, (EC) No 165/94, (EC) No 2799/98, (EC) No 814/2000, (EC) No 1290/2005 and (EC) No 485/2008;
• Commission delegated regulation (EU) No 640/2014 of 11 March 2014 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the integrated administration and control system and conditions for refusal or withdrawal of payments and administrative penalties applicable to direct payments, rural development support and cross compliance;
• Commission implementing regulation (EU) No 809/2014 of 17 July 2014 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the integrated administration and control system, rural development measures and cross compliance.

Animal Register (Bovine Register):

This Register also is part of IACS system and is created for identification and registration of farm animals. Legal basis for Animal Register is the same as for IACS Crop Declaration Database. Order of registration of animals in this Register depends on animal species.

Animal Register is updated every day.

Reference day – 1 June 2016.

National Paying Agency Database (Rural Development Measures database):

The National Paying Agency is the only accredited institution managing the measures of support for agriculture, rural development and fisheries.

Each year, farm holders willing to receive a support according to Rural Development Program and modernise their agricultural holdings submit applications, which are carefully checked and approved. 

Legal basis for Rural Development Measures is Regulation No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

A list of applicants for the FSS 2016 needs from the National Paying Agency was received following special request.

Reference period – 2014-2016.

Statistics Lithuania has sign the agreements with managers of administrative data sources indicating what data will be available, for what purpose they will be used, in which frequency, in what way (direct connection to register data or another way), data confidentiality assurance.  

In case of special request, Statistics Lithuania applies to the institution which is manager of certain data source in an official letter.

Statistics Lithuania does not participate to the conceptual design (characteristics, definitions, classifications, formats, etc.) and subsequent related revisions of the administrative sources.

In the Organic Farming Register, all holdings also have the unique holding identifier (code of the holding). Therefore, holdings from this register can be linked to other administrative data sources as well as to statistical data.

The reference period for crops in the Organic Farming Register is the same as it was required in the FSS 2016. In the Organic Farming Register, animals of the holdings are certified during the period from May to August. The exact date is different for different holdings and depends on the date when the certification body staff has visited the farm for certification. According to the methodology of the FSS 2016, farm animals had to be counted as they were on 1 June 2016.

Comparisons of the data and adjustments were done using another administrative source – the Animal Register.

As direct insert from this source to the survey database is done, there should be precise classification of required characteristics. Sometimes it is a problem to classify detailed distribution of the organic crops into variables required in the FSS.

Variables which have the same definition were used.

Areas of outdoor vegetables, strawberries, potatoes, flowers and ornamental plants, greenhouses (vegetables and flowers and ornamental plants), mushrooms, pome and stone fruits, berries, walnuts, nurseries (especially small) can be declared together as one area "other crops".

These areas were collected from agricultural holdings during the data collection.

According to the legislation, farmers have an obligation to render information about farm animals which are registered by herds (pigs, poultry, rabbits, etc.) to the Animal Register at least 2 times per year. Exception is only for pigs. Herds of pigs should be registered at least once per quarter. Therefore, on 1 June 2016 exact number of these farm animals was not known.

Questionnaires were prefilled with available information from the Animal Register and farmers had the possibility to correct figures if prefilled figures were incorrect.

Some farms declare crops, but in fact land is leased and this land is cultivated by another farm.

If during the FSS 2016 it was determined that there were out-of-scope units, they were excluded.

It covers fewer units than it should. Farms with small number of pigs, poultry, rabbits do not register their farm animals.

During the FSS 2016 missing information is being collected.

Only farms which are willing to receive support declare their crop areas. Therefore this data source covers fewer units than it should. Farms which have UAA, but do not declare it, are not included in this database.

Direct questioning of farmers' and family farms which do not declare their UAA was carried out.

misclassification

multiple listings

Some holders who according to the Register had farm animals, actually never had.

Holders had the possibility to correct their data or data were corrected by interviewers.

Reporting unit - agricultural holding (which is natural or legal person), undertaking organic production. The identification of holders and linkage to the appropriate holder in the database were done using the unique holding identifier (code of the holding).
Organic production is an overall system of farm management and food production that combines best environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources, the application of high animal welfare standards and a production method in line with the preference of certain consumers for products produced using natural substances and processes. The organic production method thus plays a dual societal role, where it on the one hand provides for a specific market responding to a consumer demand for organic products, and on the other hand delivers public goods contributing to the protection of the environment and animal welfare, as well as to rural development.

Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) Crop Declaration Database:

Reporting unit is beneficiary, i.e. applicant who meets all requirements for benefits and for which the support is awarded. The applicant - agricultural entity (agricultural holding) laid down in regulations applying for the current year to receive direct payments for utilised agricultural land, coupled support for livestock and support for area under the Rural Development Program measures. Actually, reporting unit is a farm (holding which is natural or legal person) which produce crop production.The identification of holders and linkage to the appropriate holder in the FSS 2016 database were done using the unique holding identifier (code of the holding).

Animal Register (Bovine Register):

Reporting unit - the owner of farm animals (which is natural or legal person), who keeps different species of farm animals. The identification of holders and linkage to the appropriate holder in the FSS 2016 database were done using the unique holding identifier (code of the holding).

National Paying Agency Database (Rural Development Measures database):

Reporting unit - agricultural holding (which is natural or legal person) willing to receive a support according to Rural Development Program and submitting an application for receiving this support. The identification of holders and linkage to the appropriate holder in the FSS 2016 database were done using the unique holding identifier (code of the holding).

• Self-completed e-questionnaires;
• Face-to-face interview using portable computers;
• Telephone interview.

Agricultural companies and enterprises filled in the e-questionnaires themselves and sent them directly to Statistics Lithuania for further processing.

Farmers' and family farms also had a possibility to fill in questionnaires and to transmit the filled-in questionnaires to Statistics Lithuania by themselves via the Internet using the new electronic statistical data preparation and transfer system e-Statistics for the Population. Thus, an e-survey was conducted. The e-survey was started on 1 June 2016 and was finished on 26 June 2016.

After e-survey, all farmers' and family farms selected for the FSS 2016 were divided into two groups. One group covered farms with more than 10 hectares of UAA (about 30 000 farms); these farms were surveyed face-to-face. The remaining farms (about 15 000 farms with UAA of 10 hectares or less) were included in the other group; these farms were surveyed by phone.  

Interviewers started to work on 27 June 2016. First of all, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Face-to-face interviews were started on 27 June 2016 and finished on 9 September 2016 (lasted more than two months).

The telephone interview was started on 12 September 2016 and lasted until 14 October 2016.

The FSS 2016 questionnaire for farmers’ and family farms was prepared using ORBEON software. The market research company collected data from those farmers who did not fill in the questionnaires themselves. The market research company used portable computers (this requirement was included in the public procurement specification). Statistical data were entered into the same electronic statistical data preparation and transfer system e-Statistics for the Population (corresponding rights were granted to interviewers for this task). The data entered were sent to Statistics Lithuania (online) for further processing and checking. A special program created by ORACLE was used for statistical data processing and creation of the FSS 2016 database at Statistics Lithuania.

When preparing for the FSS 2016, it was planned to take some data from administrative data sources and to put them into survey questionnaires without questioning agricultural holdings. This plan has been implemented. Therefore, after the data collection, data from the Crop Declaration Database, Animal Register, National Paying agency Database were taken and imputed directly into survey database. For those farms which declare their UAA, all crop areas (except outdoor vegetables, strawberries, potatoes, flowers and ornamental plants, greenhouses (vegetables and flowers and ornamental plants), mushrooms) and other UAA (except pome and stone fruits, berries, walnuts, nurseries) were imputed. Also, data on cattle, sheep, goats and horses as well as data on support for rural development and ecological focus area were imputed. Data were imputed into database created by ORACLE.

SAS statistical package was used for linking statistical data from several sources according to the selected criteria and for the calculation of derived statistical indicators.

All computer programs needed for the survey data collection, primary data entry, processing, analysis and calculations were created by the employees of Statistics Lithuania.

The press release about beginning of the FSS 2016 was prepared and published in the Official Statistics Portal (https://osp.stat.gov.lt/) on 1 June 2016. Also, during the survey fielworks the information about the FSS 2016 was posted on the web site of Statistics Lithuania (in the section "News").

As data collection process (survey fieldwork) was subcontracted, i.e. services of a market research company were purchased, it was tried to inform about this fact farmers‘ and family farms as much as possible.

Website of Statistics Lithuania was also used as much as possible.

Before the survey, each respondent received a personal informational letter, explaining the main purpose of the survey, when it would be carried out, which data would be collected, the use and protection of data, contact information of the Agriculture and Environment Statistics Division of Statistics Lithuania. Also, in this letter the market research company which collected data from farmers’ and family farms was indicated.

The interviewers received the special instructions for filling in the questionnaires. A special manual for them was composed. Also, trainings for interviewers from market research company was conducted.  During these trainings it was explained that data of each holding in the survey sample is very important, especially of large farms. 

In case when there was no one who could answer the questionnaire at the moment when the interviewer was visiting a holding, the interviewer had to leave a letter with his contact information and to visit the holding once more or to conduct interview by phone, if farmer agreed to provide statistical data by phone. 

According to terms of contract between Statistics Lithuania and the market research company, which provided data collection service, the farm could be considered as non-response unit only if farm was contacted twice and no reaction from farmer by phone was received.

There were only a few telephone reminders for agricultural companies and enterprises because they filled in the FSS 2016 questionnaire themselves. For farmers’ and family farms, reminders were unnecessary because they were questioned by interviewers.

At the last stage of data collection, all agricultural holdings who marked that the holding does not perform agricultural activity or holding’s land is temporarily uncultivated, but the holder means to continue agricultural activity in the future, were selected by employees of Statistics Lithuania. Using personal ID, these farms were checked in the Crop Declaration Database or Animal Register and if they were found in the mentioned administrative data sources, they were investigated by interviewers once more or questioned by phone. Thus, all possible actions for increasing response rates were accomplished.

In case of a census 1=3+4+5

Only for sample survey, in which case 2=3+4+5

This item is a subset of 3.

4>4.1+4.2

5=5.1+5.2

5.1>=5.1.1+5.1.2

6=5.2+5.1.2+4.2

1) for farmers‘ and family farms;

2) for agricultural companies and enterprises.

It was decided to create two questionnaires due to need to adjust these questionnaires to two different data collection and entry systems (e-Statistics and e-Statistics for the Population). These two questionnaires were approved by two different orders of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania. In both questionnaires the characteristics are divided into several parts (I–VI):

• Data on the agricultural holding;
• Land of the holding;
• Number of livestock;
• Farm labour force;
• Other gainful activities related to the holding;
• Soil and manure management practices.

Both questionnaires are provided in the Annex.

After filling in the questionnaire, respondents or interviewers could see an error protocol (if there were any errors). This protocol appeared after checking the questionnaire due to logical and arithmetical controls. Then the respondents or interviewers had to correct all the errors before sending the questionnaire. If they tried to transmit a questionnaire with errors, incorrect questionnaires were returned to them for correction. Incorrect questionnaires had not been loaded to the database.

• Agricultural companies and enterprises filled in the electronic questionnaire and sent it directly to Statistics Lithuania using the electronic statistical reporting portal (e-Statistics) for further processing. If any uncertainties were obtained, specialists in the regional data preparation divisions checked if all the data were filled in, and mistakes were corrected and unclear items were cleared out by question to the company or enterprise by phone.
• Interviewers (as well as farmers), who used ORBEON software for entering data, gave the feedback on the errors in each questionnaire and had to correct them.
• When statistical data received by Statistics Lithuania were uploaded into the program for data processing, they were checked once again – whether they comply with the conditions of control. If non-conformity is found, its origin is determined and it is eliminated.

Information on the technological process of primary statistical data processing, its stages and description were provided in the technical requirements for market research company. The requirements for statistical data control were provided as well. The conditions, when such control should be carried out, are as follows:

• The description of control consists of error classification, error table and correction audit table;
• The error classification consists of the following: an error code (ID), which is a digital serial number; an error text, defining relations or deviation of statistical indicators; an error attribute marked by letter I – “May be ignored”, P – “Must be corrected”;
• Errors may be logical and arithmetic. They may be made by a respondent or may occur in the process of entry or processing;
• Errors were corrected manually, discussed with interviewers or by contacting the farm.

Comparisons of the survey data both at micro and macro level were made in order to ensure data quality by detecting outliers and discrepancies.

Using the holder’s ID and holding’s ID, data obtained directly from the holding were compared to the data taken from administrative sources. Micro data comparisons were made. If any outliers were obtained, the specialists responsible for the FSS 2016 in the central statistical office contacted the holding in order to clarify those outliers.

The following administrative sources were used:

• IACS Crop Declaration Database,
• Animal Register,
• National Paying agency Database.

One more useful tool for the data validation was the standalone validation tool created by Eurostat. Statistics Lithuania used this tool and it helped to clarify all the errors and to have the data which is eligible for the validation rules.

Also, some data for national needs was collected.

Data on agricultural holding

• The information on the changes of the farm holder is necessary for the data update of Statistic farm register;
• Question "Are accounts kept for the management of the holding?" was added according to the request of Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics.

Land of the holding

A more detailed than required distribution of some crops was collected in order to use this information in crop statistics:

• Triticale had been collected separately from the other cereals;
• Temporary grasses and other green fodder was collected separately.

Farm labour force

Information on agricultural training of farm workers (of the farm holder and his/her family members working on the farm) was required by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania. Agricultural training was classified as:

• Only practical experience – if a person does not have any qualification in agriculture but has gained experience working on a farm;
• Basic – if a person has completed up to 2-year courses in agricultural school and/or institution which specializes in certain fields (including horticulture, forestry, fishery, veterinary, agricultural technologies and other related areas) or has completed agricultural apprenticeship;
• Complete – if a person has graduated from college, vocational school conferring agricultural qualification, agricultural college (2 or more years of education), university or other institution of higher education preparing specialists in horticulture, forestry, fishery, veterinary, agricultural technologies or other related areas.

Thus, there are no cases where precision requirements are applicable and RSEs exceed thresholds.

The list of agricultural holdings was based on the Census 2010, updated with the data from the Integrated Administration and Control System, the Animal Register and other agricultural surveys. However, during the FSS 2016, the frame over-coverage was 2114 (about 4.6 percent). These units, in fact, should not belong to the target population because they have finished their agricultural activity, their land was sold, granted or the unit became small.

Some holdings were selected to the FSS 2016 survey sample, but they had not 1 ha of UAA and their income from agricultural activity per calendar year was less than EUR 1520. There were about 1.1 percent of such holdings.

If the farmer was not found in his registration address, another address from the IACS Crop Declaration Database was taken if it was possible and the interviewers had to contact the farmer on the new address one more time.

Incorrect phone numbers were corrected by updating them with the information taken from the IACS and other statistical surveys. Also, Statistics Lithuania has received e-mails (e-mails were taken from the IACS) for the FSS 2016, therefore it was possible for the interviewers to contact farmer by e-mail.

Over-coverage rate was estimated as the proportion of units from the sample which do not belong to the target population to the overall sample size.

During the FSS 2016, data were taken from administrative data sources and uploaded into survey database without questioning agricultural holdings. For those farms which declare their UAA, all crop areas (except outdoor vegetables, strawberries, potatoes, flowers and ornamental plants, greenhouses (vegetables and flowers and ornamental plants), mushrooms) and other UAA (except pome and stone fruits, berries, walnuts, nurseries) were imputed. However, data on areas of outdoor vegetables, strawberries, potatoes, flowers and ornamental plants, greenhouses (vegetables and flowers and ornamental plants), mushrooms, pome and stone fruits, berries, walnuts, nurseries were collected from agricultural holdings during interview. After the survey, data, presented by agricultural holdings were compared with data from IACS. Some discrepancies were found and corrected by contacting agricultural holdings once more.

Also, the following characteristics caused measurement errors:

• distribution of arable land in the area of applied tillage methods: conventional, conservation and direct seeding;
• characteristics about soil cover: normal winter crop, cover crop or intermediate crop, plant residues, bare soil;
• manure exported from the holding;
• manure imported to the holding.

It was tried to correct these errors during data collection. Both, interviewers and farmers, were consulted by phone.

• if the holding does not perform agricultural activity (sold or granted land, early retreat from the farm market, the farmer is dead, etc.) - these farms belong to category "ineligible";
• if the holding’s land is temporarily uncultivated, but the holder means to continue agricultural activity in the future (leased land, illness of the holder, etc.) - these farms belong to category "ineligible";
• if the holding is not found - these farms belong to category "unknown eligibility status";
• if the holder refused to render information - these farms belong to category "eligible";
• if the holding becomes a small (have less than 1 ha of agricultural area utilised and the income from agricultural activity per calendar year is less than EUR 1520 - these farms belong to category "ineligible".

For those farms which ceased their activities or became small, the over-coverage error was calculated. Those farms that temporarily stopped were left to the sample frame.

If it was possible (i. e. if data on land or farm animals of certain farm were found in administrative data sources), imputations from these administrative sources were done. Imputations were done for those farms that were not found or refused to render information. In FSS 2016 unit non-response rate was 2.4 per cent (in FSS 2007 – 2.8 per cent, in FSS 2010 – 2.4 per cent, in FSS 2013 – 7.1 per cent).

In FSS 2016, unit non-response was treated by re-weighting. Imputation was used as well. Only farms which belong to the category "eligible" were re-weighted. Imputation was used for farms which belong to the category "eligible" (refused to render information ), if data on land or farm animals were found in administrative data sources. Re-weighting/imputation was not done to cover farms which belong to the category "ineligible".

The following non-response analysis was carried out:

- by comparing the characteristics of non-respondents with characteristics as available in the sampling frame (these characteristics should be correlated with the main characteristics collected);

- by comparing the characteristics of non-respondents with data possibly available in administrative data sources;

- by comparing the characteristics of non-respondents with data possibly collected in previous surveys.

The two non-response rates were calculated based on different methods and classification of units:

- the unit non-response rate was 2.4 % (if imputed units are not considered as non-response units);

- the unit non-response rate was 14.1 % (if re-weighted and imputed units are considered as non-response units).

The FSS 2016 data were not manually entered. Data were imported from the electronic questionnaire to the database using a special computer program. Logical and arithmetical control was made. The FSS 2016 data were compared with data from other statistical data sources (previous surveys on crop and animal production etc.). Thus, the probability of the processing errors was minimised as much as possible. Statistics Lithuania can assess that most processing errors were discovered.

All errors which were detected in the process of statistical data entry were corrected by returning incorrectly filled in survey questionnaires to the market research company for correction.

• ABBYY Form Filler 2.5 software was used for entering statistical data and to fill in the electronic questionnaire for agricultural companies and enterprises;
• ORBEON software was used for entering data for farmers' and family farms and transmitting these data via electronic statistical data preparation and transfer system e-Statistics for the Population to survey database;
• A special program created using ORACLE software was used for statistical data processing at Statistics Lithuania;
• ORACLE software was also used for the recoding and preparation of statistical data received in the process of the FSS 2016 for transmission to Eurostat;
• Statistical program SAS was used for linking statistical data of several sources according to the selected criterion and for the calculation of derived statistical indicators;
• The results received were transferred into MS Office Excel worksheet tables. Excel was also used for the comparison of statistical FSS 2016 data with statistical data of the previous year and the results of the FSS 2013.

Handbook on implementing the FSS definitions was used for the organisation of the FSS 2016.

There were no differences between national and EU definitions of characteristics and classifications of characteristics.

The farm holder or the manager indicates how long, on average, she/he and other farm members worked on the farm per day during the last 12 month. Annual work units (AWU) were calculated as follows:

• if a person indicated that s/he worked in the holding up to 2 hours, AWU = 0.125;
• if s/he worked 2–4 hours, AWU = 0.375;
• if 4–6 hours, AWU = 0.625;
• if 6–8 hours, AWU = 0.875;
• if 8 hours and over, AWU = 1.

“Full-time” means that the person works in the holding 252 working days a year when a working day length is 8 hours.

Moreover, with the expansion of the agricultural service sector, an increasing number of farms have been purchasing cultivation, harvesting or animal care services.

In 2016, compared to 2013, fewer workers worked on farms, but they worked more hours per week (family labour force in AWU increased by 3.3 per cent).

• IACS Crop Declaration Database was used for the comparisons of crops;
• Animal Register was used for the comparison of farm animals;
• Other agricultural statistics surveys (crop production, animal survey, etc.).

Differences between the FSS 2016 data and other agricultural statistics surveys, as well as differences between the FSS 2016 data and the IACS Crop Declaration Database, the Animal Register were clarified. If necessary, holders were contacted (usually by phone) for additional information. Differences occurred mainly due to the differences in definitions and methodology.

First of all, some differences were found while comparing the detailed crops distribution to IACS at farm level. Some holders in the FSS 2016 answered that they had ceased their agricultural activity while in the IACS database they still declare crops. Those farmers had been contacted and they explained that they have leased the land and now it is being worked by tenant, and owner receives payment from declaration instead of rent.

It was found out that during the FSS 2016 more farm animals were collected than it was on the Animal Register. Farmers sometimes do not register their pigs, poultry, rabbits, if they keep small number of these farm animals.

• IACS Crop Declaration Database aggregated data;
• Animal Register aggregated data;
• Census 2003, FSS 2005, FSS 2007, FSS 2013 and Census 2010 aggregated data;
• Other agricultural statistics surveys (crop production, animal survey, etc.).

If comparisons showed large discrepancies on some variable(s), it was returned to the micro level and comparisons of micro data were done in greater detail.

According to the FSS 2016 results, the size of UAA is 2 924.6 thous. ha. According to the IACS data, declared agricultural land area is 2 897 thous. ha. The difference compared the FSS 2016 results to IACS is about 1 per cent.

According to the FSS 2016 results, there were 740 thous. of cattle, 302.3 thous. of dairy cows, 187.2 thous. of sheep and 14 thous. of goats, 627.3 thous. of pigs in Lithuania. According to the Animal Register data, 736.1 thous. of cattle, 300.5 thous. of dairy cows, 183.2 thous. of sheep, 14.3 thous. of goats,  620.8 thous. of pigs were registered. The differences comparing the FSS 2016 results to the Animal Register are: for data on cattle – 0.5 per cent, for data on dairy cows – 0.6 per cent, for data on sheep – 2.1 per cent, for data on goats – 2.1 per cent, for data on pigs – 1 per cent. Analysing the data on animals, in all cases the number of livestock obtained during the FSS is bigger than the number of livestock in the Animal Register (except number of goats). Quite a big number of goats, registered in Animal Register are kept in small farms which are under the FSS 2016 threshold. 

Comparison with the Lithuanian Labour Force Survey was not made due to the fundamental methodological differences.

The comparison of the FSS 2016 data with administrative data and other surveys showed that the FSS 2016 results can be characterized as reliable.

The FSS 2016 does not cover all the crops and utilised agricultural area within the territory of the country. It covers only crops and UAA belonging to farms (agricultural holdings) producing agricultural products with the UAA of one or more hectares or those with the UAA of less than one hectare and annual agricultural income of no less than EUR 1520.

Crops and utilised agricultural area are also covered by annual crop statistics. However, crop statistics also covers farms with the UAA of less than one hectare and gardeners’ partnerships.

The number of farm animals is compared with data from administrative data sources because the comparison with current statistics is problematic due to different reference periods.

Moreover, plots of land and/or farm animals of a farm may be located in one or several different municipalities. All plots of land, farm animals, machinery and workers of the farm are summed up and published in the municipality where the farm centre is located. Therefore, area of UAA (as well as number of farm animals, farm workers) fixed during the FSS 2016 in certain municipality can be larger or smaller than in existing in administrative data sources.

Many activities dedicated to the data dissemination process were carried out. Provisional results were used to prepare statistical information on user requests.

The process of the dissemination of the FSS 2016 data in Lithuania consists of:

• Press releases;
• Statistical information prepared according to user requests;
• Data transfer to Eurostat;
• Loading of the data to the national Database of Indicators (together with related metadata);
• A national publication on the FSS 2016 results. 

The most important ways of the dissemination of the provisional FSS 2016 data in Lithuania were press releases. Statistics Lithuania has already published 2 press releases.

• The first press release. The main aim of this press release was to inform the society that the FSS 2016 had started, to explain the objectives, legal basis and phases of the survey.
• The second press release. The main aim of this press release was to present and analyse the provisional results of the FSS 2016. Such statistical data as farms by category and land utilized, the structure of agricultural crops, the number of farm animals were presented and analysed. Also, the number of agricultural workers by farm category, agricultural workers by time worked, workers on farms in full-time units were presented and analysed. Distribution of farms by type of farming and economic size classes was analysed as well.

A publication on the results of the FSS 2016 is planned to be published in 2018. Data on the number of farms, their size and type of farming, land and its usage, number of livestock by kind and age groups, farm holders and their family members, number of hired employees on the farm and duration of their working time, activities other than agricultural ones. In the publication results will be presented at the national level. The publication will contain about 100 pages. It is planned to be in an electronic format.

Also, the FSS 2016 results will be published in the Database of Indicators in the Official Statistics Portal. In this database results will be published not only at country level, but also by counties and municipalities.

The second press release was published on 31 October 2017.

The national publication on the FSS 2016 results will be published on 30 April 2018.

The final FSS 2016 results will be loaded to the national statistical database on 30 April 2018. Together with the survey results the Metadata file will be published as well.

Confidential statistical data may be provided for use for scientific purposes if scientific institutions ensure the protection of the data in the way that it is not possible to directly identify respondents.

Moreover, such routine operations as data check were automated by introducing logical and arithmetical controls to data entry programs (both to the program created using ORBEON, ORACLE software and ABBYY Form Filler).

The burden on farmers' and family farms was about 21 minutes per questionnaire. Thus, Statistics Lithuania reduced the burden, compared to the FSS 2013 when the average completion time per questionnaire was 32 minutes. The burden on agricultural companies and enterprises remained the same – 69 minutes per questionnaire.

In accordance with the Law on Statistics of the Republic of Lithuania, all individual data on each person and each farm are confidential. Data received from statistical surveys or by other methods for statistical purposes must be used in such a way that no concrete respondent or result of its activity could be identified. Official statistical data are considered to be confidential and protected in accordance with the procedure established by law if the respondent on whom or on whose activity results primary data have been collected may be directly or indirectly identified from those official statistical data.

During collection, processing and dissemination of the FSS 2016 data, data confidentiality and security were guaranteed to every respondent as it is required by the Law on Statistics.

The FSS 2016 micro data were transferred to the Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics (for FADN research) and to Eurostat in the way that it is not possible to directly identify respondents.

During data collection, data security was also ensured by using a safe public data transfer network.

• statistical information was prepared using data obtained from less than of three respondents;
• statistical data from one respondent represent more than 70 per cent of the total volume of statistical indicator;
• aggregated statistical data of two respondents represent more than 85 per cent of the volume of whole statistical indicator.

In the future it is supposed to do more testing of the questionnaire working with the respondents in order to prepare better, shorter and clearer questionnaires which meets the requirements of Eurostat.