Archive:Agricultural census in the Netherlands
This article is part of a series of country-specific essays on the results of the European Union (EU) Farm structure survey (FSS) 2010. The FSS collects information on the structural characteristics of the agricultural holdings (land use, livestock and labour force) and is carried out by all European Union Member States every 10 years as an Agricultural census, with two or three additional, intermediate sample surveys carried out in-between. Although in the Netherlands an Agricultural census is carried out (almost) every year, the present analysis of the farm structure includes a comparison with the Agricultural census 2000 in order to compare the data at EU level. In the Netherlands, the reference years for the above mentioned Agricultural censuses were 1999 and 2010 respectively; nonetheless, the common designation is Agricultural census 2000 and 2010.
Source: Eurostat (ef_kvaareg) (ef_ov_kvaa) (demo_pjan) and FSS 2000 and 2010
Source: Eurostat (ef_kvaareg) (ef_ov_kvaa) and FSS 2000 and 2010
_by_UAA_size_classes_Netherlands_2010.PNG)
Source: Eurostat (ef_kvaareg) (ef_ov_kvaa)
Source: Eurostat (ef_kvftreg)
Source: Eurostat (ef_kvftreg)
Source: Eurostat (ef_lu_ovcropaa) (ef_oluaareg)
Source: Eurostat (ef_lu_ovcropaa) (ef_oluaareg)
Source: Eurostat (ef_mptenure) (ef_so_mptenure)
Source: Source: Eurostat (ef_poirrig)
Source: Source: Eurostat (ef_pmhouscatlaa)
Main statistical findings
Key indicators
As exhibited in Table 1, there were 72 320 agricultural holdings in the Netherlands in 2010. After the year 2000, the number of agricultural holdings had largely decreased in the country (-28.8 %), which was also the case in most of the other European Member States.
Accounting for 1.9 million hectares, the utilised agricultural area (UAA) represented 45 % of the Dutch territory in 2010 – one of the highest shares recorded within the EU-27. As the UAA fell (-7.7 %) much less than the number of holdings within the 2000-2010 timeframe, the average size of farms increased, changing from 20 ha in 2000 to 26 ha in 2010. Also the animal livestock expressed in livestock units (LSU) recorded a drop of -9 % within the period under analysis; there were 6.7 million LSU registered in the Netherlands in 2010, compared to 7.3 million LSU reported in 2000. Nonetheless, the Dutch animal livestock still remained one of the largest within the EU-27.
Similarly to most of the EU Member States, the number of persons working in agriculture in the Netherlands dropped from 275 730 to 211 630 between 2000 and 2010 (-23 %). Accordingly, the population working in agriculture represented a mere 2.5 % of the Dutch economically active population in 2010.[1]
Within the 2000-2010 timeframe, the Dutch population grew while the UAA decreased. As a result, the average UAA per inhabitant dropped, from 0.13 hectares per inhabitant in 2000 to 0.11 hectares in 2010.
Regional key indicators
On close inspection, the regional analysis (see Table 2) of the Dutch territory during the 2000-2010 period shows negative values for all the regions regarding nearly all the key indicators, the only exception being the average area per holding. Nonetheless, the relative weight of the regions did not appear to have changed remarkably; the territories of Gelderland and Noord-Brabant remained the most important for the Dutch agriculture over the 2000-2010 decade.
In particular, the region of Gelderland recorded a fall of 29.9 % in terms of the number of holdings, though it still accounted for 17.1 % of the total population of farms in 2010. This was the second highest share, the first being the one registered by the territory of Noord-Brabant (17.8 %), which also recorded a substantial decrease (of 28.2 %) compared with the 2000 data.
In terms of the UAA, the Noord-Brabant region also recorded the highest relative share (13.4 %) over the Dutch territory in 2010, despite registering a decrease of 8.3 % over the 2000 data. Similarly, the region of Gelderland showed the second highest relative share (12.7 %) over the whole national territory in 2010, despite having recorded a 6.3 % fall in terms of the UAA.
A very similar picture emerges from the analysis of livestock units. Regardless of the fall of -10.1 % as compared with the FSS 2000 data, the territory of Noord-Brabant proved to be by far the most important one accounting for 28.2 % of the LSU of the whole country (about 1.9 million) in 2010. The region of Gelderland was the second most important one with 19.4 % of the Dutch LSU, despite suffering a drop of 12.5 % LSU as compared with 2000.
The regions of Noord-Brabant, Gelderland and Zuid-Holland, all of which recorded values above 30 000 in 2010, proved to be the most important ones in terms of the number of persons working on the farms. Nevertheless, they all showed decreases compared to the 2000 values: - 31 % for Zuid-Holland, - 22.9 % for Gelderland and -22.7 % in the case of Noord-Brabant.
Agricultural holdings
Between 2000 and 2010 there was a tendency for the small farms to disappear in favour of the bigger ones in most of the EU Member States including the Netherlands. Accordingly, agricultural holdings with 50 to 99 hectares of land increased in number (+27.7 %) as well as those with 100 hectares or more (+ 85.7 %). On the contrary, all the other classes of farms recorded significant drops, with the highest decrease registered among farms with less than 2 hectares of agricultural land (-45.3 %). The only exception was represented by the farms with no agricultural land: mainly industrial livestock farms; these agricultural holdings increased in number (+14.1 %) compared with the FSS 2000 data.
Currently, about half of the Dutch UAA belongs to a small number of farms (see Figure 1) with 50 or more hectares of agricultural land, which account for 16 % of the total population of farms. In terms of the number of holdings, farms seem to be evenly distributed over the various classes, with the only exception being the classes of farms with no land – 2 % of the total number of holdings – and those with 100 or more hectares of UAA (3 % of the total population of farms).
In 2010, the largest farms proved to be located mostly in the Groningen region, as the average area per holding recorded in this territory (48.3 hectares) was the highest of the country. With 47.3 hectares, Flevoland recorded the second highest figure, a value well above the Dutch average (25.9 ha). On the contrary, the Zuid-Holland territory showed the lowest value (18.5 ha), followed by the region of Gelderland (19.3 ha).
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Economic size of the farm
In 2010, the economic size of all the Dutch agricultural holdings was EUR 18 930 million (see Table 3), one of the highest values recorded within the EU-27. This value was calculated by adding all the standard output (SO) per hectare of crop and per head of livestock of the farms, and represents a 4.8 % increase compared to the FSS 2007 data (EUR 18 071 million).
Accounting for 20.3 % of the Dutch agricultural standard output, the Noord-Brabant region proved to be the most important one in 2010. The second highest contribution came from Zuid-Holland (17.8 %), while the territory of Utrecht accounted for the smallest share (2.7 %). In 2007 the hierarchy looked very much the same: the Noord-Brabant region accounted for the highest share (19.6 %), the territory of Zuid-Holland recorded the second highest value (19 %) and the territory of Utrecht accounted for the smallest share (2.7 %) of the total SO of the Netherlands.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Agricultural holding by main type of farming
In terms of the main area of production, holdings specialised in dairying were the most common in the Netherlands (see Figure 2). According to the Agricultural census 2010, they represented about 24 % of the total number of holdings. The second most common type of production was sheep, goats and other grazing livestock, which accounted for 16 % of the total number of holdings. Farms specialised in general field cropping accounted for another 14 %, while those dedicated to cattle-rearing and fattening recorded a share of 12 %.
If the economic size is taken into account, the hierarchy of the holdings changes. When using the standard output (SO) for measuring the main type of farming, the holdings specialised in indoor horticulture had the biggest share (25.8 %). Most of these holdings proved to be located in the Zuid-Holland territory, as in 2010 the production of indoor horticulture of this region accounted for 13.9 % of the SO of the Netherlands. The second highest contributions came from holdings dedicated to dairying (23.9 %), while the holdings dedicated to pigs accounted for 11.8 %. Farms specialised in other horticulture accounted for 6.5 % of the total standard output, whereas those specialised in general field cropping shared 6.2 % of the SO of the whole country.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Land use
The utilised agricultural area (UAA) is the total area taken up by arable land, permanent grassland and meadow, permanent crops and kitchen gardens used by the holding, regardless of the type of tenure or of whether it is used as a part of common land.
In the Netherlands, the UAA decreased by about 155 000 hectares over the 2000-2010 decade (-7.7 %), indicating the value of 1.9 million hectares in 2010.
Over the years the relative importance of its main components did not change much, though a few minor variations occurred. Indeed, arable land remained by far the most important element, as its share in the UAA increased from 49.8 % in 2000 to 54.6 % in 2010. An opposite tendency was recorded for permanent grassland and meadow, whose share dropped by 17.4 %, shifting from 48.6 % in 2000 to 43.4 % in 2010. Accordingly, the arable land and the permanent grassland and meadow together accounted for 98 % of the total UAA of the Netherlands in 2010, the very same percentage as recorded in 2000. The remaining 2 % was covered by permanent crops; kitchen gardens were non-significant in the Netherlands, hence were not surveyed.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Arable land
In Portugal, the total arable area decreased by 33 % from 2000 to 2010; this value represents around 15 % of the whole 2010 UAA. This reduction was the result of the decrease in the area of cereals: 244 000 ha (-42 %) less when compared to the 2000 cereal area. With the exception of barley and rice, all the other areas of cereal diminished compared with the previous Agricultural census data. In particular, the area of durum wheat declined by 85 %, from 74 000 ha to 11 000 ha in 2010. Moreover, the decrease in the area of industrial crops (-66 %) and potatoes (-60 %) contributed to the overall reduction in the arable land, as did the reduction in the area of fallow land (-39 %).
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Permanent crops
In 2010 the area under permanent crops represents 19 % of the UAA. It has decreased by 3 % when compared with the previous Agricultural census data. However, this falling tendency is not homogeneous; in fact, the area for some crops decreased, while for other crops it increased: Nut trees +43 %, Quality wine +19%, Citrus plantation -28 %, Vineyards -17 %.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Permanent grassland
Between 2000 and 2010, the area of permanent grassland increased by 28 %. This was the exclusive result of the rise of the rough grazing area (+50 %). On the other hand, the area dedicated to pasture and meadow actually decreased (-11 %) over the same timeframe. Generally, the maintenance of permanent grassland is recognised as being beneficial to the environment, as opposed to massive conversion to arable land. For this reason, the CAP intended to maintain the existing ratio of permanent grassland/UAA[2]. In the case of Portugal, the effect was that permanent grassland replaced some of the arable land.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Three different types of permanent grassland are identified in the Agricultural Census: the permanent pasture generally used for intensive grazing; the rough (extensive) grazing with a low density of livestock; and the permanent grassland used not for production but rather for keeping the land in good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC). In Portugal, 25 % of the permanent grassland is intensive grazing, 74 % is rough grazing and less than 1 % is used for keeping land in GAEC.
This distribution varies largely among the different regions. The two extreme examples are Alentejo, recording 19 % of intensive grazing and 80 % of rough grazing, and Azores, displaying 85 % of intensive grazing and 15 % of rough grazing.
Livestock
Statistics on livestock use two different units of measurement: the number of heads (number of animals) and the livestock units (LSU). The latter makes the comparison between different types of livestock possible.
In Portugal, according to the 2010 data, there were 0.21 LSU per inhabitant (in 2000 there were 0.25). Indeed, the population of livestock decreased by 13.5 % LSU over the period 2000-2010. With the exception of cattle, whose number remained constant over the years, the development for other kinds of livestock was negative. Noticeable decreases were observed for the Equidae (-41.9 %) and the sheep (-24.2 %).
The number of agricultural holdings with livestock decreased by 36.4 % over the 2000-2010 period, from 320 260 to 203 780. The percentage of holdings with livestock within the total number of holdings deceased 10 percentage points in the same period (from 77 % to 67 %). The largest decreases in this percentage were recorded in Algarve (-15) and in the region of Alentejo (-13).
Concerning the number of LSU, there was a decrease in all portuguese regions but Alentejo, where the LSU grew by 6.3 %. The largest decreases in terms of the number of LSU where in Algarve: -52.4 % and: -33.6 % Lisboa, Azores had the smallest decrease:-1 %.
Overall, the farms with a small LSU were the one which suffered the largest decrease in terms of livestock unit. Indeed, the biggest decreases were observed on the farms with 5 to 9 LSU (-44 %), while the one with 100 to 499 LSU were the only one showing a positive trend (+2.9 %).
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010 and 2000
Labour force
In 2010, 708 080 persons were working in the agricultural holdings, which was a decrease of 33 % in comparison with the 2000 data when more than one million (1 063 770) persons were working in the agriculture sector. The decrease appears slightly smaller if the annual work unit (AWU) is used: the labour force shifted from 475 760 AWU (which corresponds to 475 760 people working full time) in 2000 to 335 780 AWU in 2010 (-29.4 %).
When comparing the 2010 data with the 2000 data, in terms of AWU a general fall in the labour force directly employed in the agricultural sector is observed (-30.7 %). This fall concerns all the categories of the direct labour force. The direct labour force employed on a non-regular basis was the one that suffered the largest drop (-42.9 %), followed by the family labour force (-31.3 %). On the contrary, the labour force not directly employed by the agricultural holdings (contractual work) registered a positive trend; figures increased by 21.3 % in 2010 when compared to 2000 data, shifting from 3 990 AWU to 3 290 AWU.
In terms of the number of persons working in the holding and the gender distinction, the highest percentage of female employees was recorded by the family labour force in Portugal in 2010 (47 %). Taking the AWU into account, the aforementioned values were similar to the ones recorded in 2000. Despite all this, there was a drop in the absolute number of workers, evenly distributed between male and female. When comparing the 2010 data with the 2000 data, the most outstanding change happened in the share of female sole holders: it went from 23 % to 31 %, so that in 2010 almost one out of three sole holders were female.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level on holders' age and gender for 2010 and 2000
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level on type of labour force for 2010 and 2000
Management practices
Type of tenure
In Portugal, according to the 2010 data, a high percentage of UAA (72 %) belongs to the farmers who actually work on that land. The Azores region holds the highest percentage of rented UAA (48 %) and the Lisbon region the highest percentage of UAA that is shared (13 %).
The overall percentage of the share-farmed agricultural area, which is agricultural area utilised in partnership by the landlord and the sharecropper under a written or oral share-farming contract, or area utilised under other modes of tenure, is small (5.5 %).
Irrigation
Between 2000 and 2010, the total irrigable area decreased by 31.7 %, shifting from 791 990 to 540 880 ha. In 2010, the total irrigated area – which includes kitchen gardens and any area under glass – was 488 380 ha. However, when analysing data on irrigation, it should be kept in mind that irrigation needs vary over the years according to the weather conditions.
In terms of the type of crops, the harvest that had the largest share of irrigation water in Portugal is maize (grain and green). According to the 2010 data, its irrigated area is 138 160 ha, a share of 30 % of the total irrigated area of the country. With 65 890 ha of irrigated area, the olive plantation is the second most irrigated crop (14 %), followed by temporary and permanent grass (60 880 ha and 13 % of the total irrigated area).
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
In terms of volume of water, 3 437 millions of cubic metres of water have been used to irrigate the UUA in Portugal in 2010. The volume of water does not include the water used for the kitchen gardens. The estimated value takes into account several factors and has been calculated for the first time for 2010 FSS. Clearly, the amount of water used in agriculture strongly depends on the region and its peculiarities. Not surprisingly, the region of Azores is characterized by the smallest estimation of water used for (1.7 million cubic metres), whereas Alentejo is the one which recorded the highest value (1 405 million).
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Animal housing
According to the 2010 data, there are 50 040 holdings raising 1 430 290 heads of cattle. Of these holdings only 18 800 have at least 10 heads of cattle. In the case of the SAPM in Portugal these were the only farms that were included in the survey on the cattle housing, and these represent 1 328 900 heads of cattle. The existing places cover only 36 % of the cattle population of the farms included in the survey. Loose housing (animals are allowed to move freely) with solid dung and liquid manure is the most common (14 % of all the farms with more than 10 cattle), followed by loose housing with slurry (13 %). The type of cattle housing where the animal are tied to their placed is less frequent: stationed-tied stable with solid dung and liquid manure (6 %) and stationed-tied with slurry (3 %).
Other gainful activities
According to the data of the Agricultural census 2010, there are 15 210 holdings with other gainful activities in Portugal. Representing the 5 % of the total number of holdings, these farms recorded activities other than farm work, directly related to the holding and having an economic impact on the holding.
Information on other gainful activities was collected by eleven category types depending on their characteristics. In Portugal, the most common one is forestry-work, which involves 10 840 holdings according to FSS 2010 data, and these are mostly concentrates in the "Centro" region. When analysing data on other gainful activities it must be noticed that holdings involved in more the one other gainful activity were counted more than once.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010 and 2000
Organic farming
Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain or enhance ecological harmony.
In Portugal the number of agricultural holdings practicing organic farming grew slightly since 2003, from 900 farms to 1 020 farms as registered during the last Agricultural census.
The UAA with organic farming registered some increases in 2005 and 2007, from 69 610 ha in 2003 to 98 050 ha in 2007. The sharp drop in the area of organic UAA from 2007 to 2010 is due to a methodological change: the exclusion of certified rough grazing area and was covering only 37 350 hectare.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010 and 2007
Data sources and availability
Methodological notes
The Agricultural census 2010 was the third agricultural census harmonised with the European legislation to be carried out in Portugal. The editions of the census prior to 2009 were in 1989 and 1999. The Farm structure survey (FSS) was also held in 1992, 1995, 1997, 2003, 2005 and 2007; these intermediate surveys were sample surveys.
Survey on agricultural production methods (SAPM)
In 2010 a unique survey was carried out together with the agricultural census, the Survey on agricultural productions methods (SAPM). This survey collected data at regional level needed to establish agri-environmental indicators as indicated in COM final 508/2006 and to evaluate the greening of the Common agricultural policy.
Data were collected according to specifications listed in Annex V of the above-mentioned regulation, namely data on tillage methods, soil conservation, landscape features, animal grazing, animal housing, manure application, manure storage and treatment facilities and irrigation.
The results of this survey are linked to the data obtained from the Farm structure survey at the level of individual agricultural holdings.
Data collection and reference period
The data were collected from November 2009 to October 2010. Technical staff of around 2000 persons was involved. Different reference periods were used depending on the characteristics surveyed.
Threshold for agricultural holdings
With reference to size, different thresholds are applied in the EU Member States to define the population of holdings eligible for the FSS and the Agricultural census. In the case of Portugal, agricultural holdings are defined as techno-economic units where there is common use of inputs, which have a single management, and which are located in an identifiable place and reach the following threshold:
- mainland - at least 1 ha of utilised agricultural area (UAA);
- islands - at least 0.1 ha of utilised agricultural area (UAA);
Other thresholds were also applied and took into account the production of the holding.
For the characteristics of animal housing of the Survey on agricultural productions methods (SAPM) the thresholds were the following:
- bovine animals - 10 heads;
- all pigs - 50 heads;
- breeding sows - 10 heads;
- all poultry - 1000 heads.
Common land
Common land is the land that does not directly belong to any agricultural holding but on which common rights apply. It can consist of pasture, horticultural or other land. The treatment of the common land used by an agricultural holding might differ from country to country.
In Portugal the area of common land was surveyed as a “common land agricultural holding”. The information on common land was collected from the managing entities by interview. Data was also crosschecked with the data available from administrative sources.
In Portugal common land has always been collected in the FSS.
Geo-reference of the holding
The geo-referencing of the holdings was established using the geographical coordinates of the centroids (the centre point) of the communes (the lowest administrative units).
Economic size
From FSS 2007 onward the standard output (SO), a new classification of the economic size of the holding, has been implemented. The SO has replaced the standard gross margin (SGM) used before. Nonetheless, for comparability reasons in FSS 2007 both classifications are available.
Volume of irrigation water
This characteristic was calculated for the first time in 2010, using estimation models based on the soil-water balance. The factors taken into account include: efficiency of irrigation systems, legal personality of the holding, age, educational level and agricultural training of the manager[3].
This model did not include the irrigated area of kitchen gardens (which in 2010 represented only 0.5 % of the total UAA).
Other methodological issues
Variables “Support for rural development – Meeting standards based on Community legislation” and “Support for rural development – Natura 2000 payments for agricultural area” were not collected because the measures were not implemented in the established reference period.
Comparison with the FSS 2007
When comparing the results of the census 1999 with the census 2010 the values for the key variables of the structure of the agricultural holding have a clear tendency to decrease (number of holdings, utilised agricultural area, livestock and labour force). On the contrary, when comparing the same variables of the FSS 2007 and census 2010, a general increase can be observed, which can be explained by the fact that these two surveys were carried out using different methodologies.
For the FSS sample survey in 2007 the sample base was the register created from the 1999 General Agricultural Census. The time gap between the creation of the sample base and its use for the 2007 sampling undermined to some extent the output of the 2007 results. In addition, the sample surveys carried out in 2003, 2005 and 2007 were based on the same panel of holdings, as to obtain information on the structure of the holdings and evaluate their development. As result of this sampling methodology, it is possible that the developments in the general population of the holdings was not completely reflected in the panel of holdings and ultimately in the survey output.
Context
European Commission Rural development policy aims to improve competitiveness in agriculture and forestry, improve the environment and the countryside, improve the quality of life in rural areas and encourage the diversification of rural economies.
As agriculture has modernised and the importance of industry and services within the economy has increased, so agriculture has become much less important as a source of jobs. Consequently, increasing emphasis is placed on the role farmers can play in rural development, including forestry, biodiversity, the diversification of the rural economy to create alternative jobs and environmental protection in rural areas.
The FSS continues to adapt in order to provide timely and relevant data to help analyse and follow these developments.
Further Eurostat information
Publications
Main tables
- Agriculture, see:
- Structure of agricultural holdings (t_ef)
Database
- Agriculture, see:
- Structure of agricultural holdings (ef)
Dedicated section
Methodology / Metadata
- Structure of agricultural holdings (ESMS metadata file - ef_esms)
- Methodological Report – FSS 2007 Portugal
- Methodological Report – FSS 2010 Portugal
Source data for tables and figures (MS Excel)
Other information
- Regulation 1166/2008 of 19 November 2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods and repealing Council Regulation 571/88
- Regulation 1200/2009 of 30 November 2009 implementing Regulation 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods, as regards livestock unit coefficients and definitions of the characteristics
External links
See also
Notes
- ↑ A value calculated over the total number of active people aged 15 to 64, as it is reported by the 4th quarter 2010 of the EU Labour force survey (LFS) Population by sex, age, nationality and labour status (1 000) (lfsq_pganws).
- ↑ European Commission - Joint Research Centre - MARS - Maintenance of permanent pasture
- ↑ For more information see "MECAR Report" in the National Methodological Report.