Now at the end of phase one funding, AD|ARC is securely linking de-identified agricultural datasets with the Census of Population and the Inter-Departmental Business Register. This core, research dataset is also being linked to de-identified health and education data across the UK to create the first UK-wide, research-ready datasets on farmers and farming households.

The additional funding provided through the ADR UK research-ready data and access call will be used to update and expand the data resources in England, Scotland, and Wales. The enhanced datasets will be used to carry out more ambitious research across the UK on changing farm demographics, farm household economic activities, and the links between household circumstances and land use patterns.

Farming remains hugely significant in the UK. It contributes to the rural economy, provides the nation with food and has a major influence on natural habitats and the wider environment. Farmers and farm households also underpin the social cohesion of sparsely populated rural areas. However, the relationship between these activities is poorly understood and better evidence is needed to support the provision of services and development of policies.

Helen Hoult, Head of Farming Statistics at Defra, said: “I am pleased to see that AD|ARC has secured funding for a phase 2 update of the collection, including the 2021 Population Census.  By joining up farming and Census data, AD|ARC is a promising source of research that could give us insights into the wider pressures affecting farming on health, lifestyle, education and well-being and the factors that affect these.”