Exploratory work around reinstating agricultural tenancy data collection for Scotland

Description

Section 1 – Introduction The Agricultural Statistics unit in RESAS are responsible for a number of key agricultural data collections and statistical publications. The largest data collection is through the annual June Agricultural Census (JAC) which goes out to around 35,000 agricultural holdings each year. The JAC team produces an annual publication on annual land use, crop areas, livestock, number of people working on agricultural holdings and occasional modules on specific topics (e.g. manure management, machinery). The outputs are used by a wide range of users and the team support expert users in bespoke data requests as well as providing sampling frames and contact information for research projects. Lot 1: Section 3 – Scope /Statement of Requirement We require a team to design and test agricultural tenancy questions. The project aim is to lead to improved data collection and data quality around agricultural tenancy data. 1. The design phase of the project will require a discovery phase where the supplier will scope out the issues and potential routes forward to collecting high quality data. This will require discussions with agricultural tenancy experts and farmers to determine the barriers to producing answerable questions on what types of tenancy farmers have. It may also include discussions with National Records of Scotland on Census question testing. This discovery phase will also look at the historic issues related to tenancy data collection. 2. The second half of the design phase could include roundtable meetings, farmer stakeholder discussions and more detailed discussions with agricultural census statisticians on what has been identified and potential routes forward. Also, discussions with other data collectors in this space including Central Association for Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) and Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), Scottish Government. 3. The testing phase will involve producing at least one set of questions which could be used within the June Agricultural Census or could be standalone questions in a survey. Ideally, we would be interested in two separate groups of questions to be able to test the benefits of one over another, however this may not be possible. The questions would ideally cover the number and type of tenancies and land area covered by that tenancy. 4. If there is time the testing phase should also include testing the questions in an online environment to make sure that the questions continue to be useable for farmers. By the end of the project, we would like to have tested questions and evidence of whether these are suitable to be included in the June Agricultural Census (JAC) or another data collection. We need a team who are able to lead on the following within an agricultural setting: - Desk based review of previous data collection and understanding of historic issues with collecting agricultural tenancy data in Scotland - Question design - User and stakeholder engagement - Question testing and improvement The June Agricultural Census team in RESAS can support with the following: - Analytical information around the issues with the historic data which has been collected on tenancy types - List of key stakeholders and expert data users (a working group is already started to be defined) - Subset of farmers contact details who are recorded as having tenanted land. The work will require expertise in question design and knowledge of the agricultural sector, ideally including agricultural tenancies although this is desirable but not essential. - Geographical area covered – Flexible location although in person meetings with customer and stakeholders will be required. - Technology, systems and management techniques – We expect the contractor to use good project management to make sure they achieve the desired outcomes at the correct time. Whilst engaging with the customer at appropriate points such as milestone delivery dates. - Security – The following must be completed prior to any sharing of personal data: - DSA - DPIA - erdm connect workspace - procurement, protective security and information assurance questionnaire to be completed by contractor. - Implementation timetable to be agreed at the inception meeting.