Agricultural tenancy data collection for Scotland: methodology report

Introduction

Background and policy context

While agricultural tenancy questions were removed from the June Agricultural Census (JAC) after 2021, in part due to concerns with data quality, tenancy information remains essential for evidence-based policymaking and long-term planning. Robust and high-quality data on Scotland’s evolving agricultural tenancy landscape are critical for supporting informed decisions that sustain and strengthen the sector.

Against this backdrop, the research set out to identify practical options for redesigning agricultural tenancy questions for potential reintroduction. To achieve this, we undertook a multi-phased programme of work involving in-depth engagement with sector experts, farmers, and land managers (i.e., ‘stakeholders’) across Scotland, culminating in a set of tested question designs for consideration by the Scottish Government.

A summary of the methodological approach is provided below, with detailed findings presented in the accompanying Findings Report.

Report structure

This is the second of two reports produced for this project. It documents the methodological approach used to design and refine potential agricultural tenancy question sets.

The accompanying Findings Report presents the two proposed data collection routes, evaluates their usability, and sets out recommendations for implementation.

This Methodology Report explains how the question sets were developed and how each stage of the research contributed to determining the final short list of tenancy questions. The core of the report is organised around three phases of work: 1) Discovery, 2) Question co-design, and 3) Question testing.

Additional materials, including the final diagnostic Issue Map, survey results, visual heatmap, supporting guidance, and the complete list of reviewed sources, are provided in Appendices A-F.