Dutch Farm Sustainability Data Network

Since 1965, Wageningen Social & Economic Research has been collecting economic and sustainability data from Dutch farmers and fishers on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. This work is part of a Statutory Research Task (in Dutch), known as Economic Information Provision. Through this task, the ministry fulfils European legal requirements, as the European Union obliges all member states to collect this information.

The statutory task also includes publishing results for groups of businesses. These are available on www.agrimatie.nl (in Dutch). Examples include profit and loss accounts (in Dutch) for dairy farms, as well as information on livestock and crop balances, prices, grazing, manure disposal, crop protection use and other indicators. Agrimatie also provides descriptions of developments in the agricultural sector, such as the sustainability performance of dairy farms (in Dutch).

In addition, these data form the basis for much of Wageningen Social & Economic Research’s work on the Dutch agricultural sector, commissioned by a range of organisations. The publication Het Bedrijven-Informatienet van A tot Z (2004, in Dutch) escribes the methods and procedures used for the data network, which still form the foundation for research using FSDN data today. 

Wageningen Social & Economic Research carries out projects for a wide range of clients, including the Dutch and local governments, the European Union, (inter)national NGOs, private agri-food companies and sector organisations.

The sample covers three areas: agriculture and horticulture, forestry and fisheries.

Agriculture and horticulture

The sample population for agriculture and horticulture includes all businesses from the Dutch Agricultural Census with a Standard Output value above €25,000. Very small businesses are therefore not represented.

In 2021, the Agricultural Census included 52,107 businesses, of which 42,933 were part of the sample population. These are represented by around 1,500 sample farms. The network therefore covers 82.4% of all businesses in the census, representing 99.5% of total agricultural production, measured in Standard Output.

Forestry

Since 2018, The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster) has been used as a uniform, consistent and nationwide source for identifying private forest owners.

In 2018, the population of forest owners with more than 5 hectares of forest comprised 2,890 businesses managing 72,194 hectares of woodland. Of these, 356 businesses with 5,393 hectares were located in less forested areas and excluded from the target population.

From 2018 onwards, the target population was further refined to include only commercial forestry businesses with more than 50 hectares of forest. As a result, 2,315 smaller forest holdings (5–50 ha) are no longer part of the target population. They manage a total of 29,777 hectares. About 70 of these (3%) are still included in the sample.

By mid-2018, the defined target population consisted of 219 forestry businesses with a combined forest area of 37,022 hectares. Around 80 of these (38%) were selected for the sample, representing 55% of the total forest area.

Fisheries

The fisheries sample population includes all vessels listed in the Netherlands Register of Fishing Vessels (NRV). Dutch vessels operating under a foreign flag are not included in the target population. The fishing fleet is divided into: 

• Pelagic trawlers: due to the small number of vessels, economic data are collected for all seven.
• Active cutters with demersal fishing gear: in 2019, this fleet consisted of 293 vessels, of which 90 participate in the network.
• Small-scale coastal fishery: data are collected by survey for about 200 vessels that fish occasionally; response is around 25%.
• The mussel and oyster fleet: by the end of 2018, the Dutch mussel fleet included 53 active mussel vessels and 26 active oyster vessels. Of these, 11 mussel vessels and 3 oyster vessels participate in the network. 

Accountability report

Each year, Wageningen Social & Economic Research evaluates how the sample compares to the total population and where new sample farms are needed. This is documented in a report describing the desired sample design and its actual composition. Based on this report, adjustments can be made for the following year. More information can be found in the most recent accountability report for the agricultural and horticultural sample and the fisheries sample. Reporting always lags two calendar years behind, as the selection for the upcoming year must be based on Agricultural Census data from the previous year. For example, the selection for 2026 is based on the 2024 census. 

Participant’s privacy (in Dutch) is our top priority. We collect data with the utmost accuracy and care. All collected data are processed under a unique identification number (pseudonymised) and stored in secure systems. Only anonymised company data are used in research results. We publish research outcomes as group averages only, never the underlying data from participating businesses. 

Yes, businesses in the horticultural sector, pig farming or poultry farming can sign up as a pilot. Other businesses are selected and invited to participate, as the FSFSDN is based on a representative sample. Wageningen Social & Economic Research selects businesses randomly from the Dutch Agricultural Census according to the sampling plan. For horticulture, pig farming and poultry farming, entrepreneurs can sign up voluntarily as a pilot without prior selection. During an intake meeting, it will be assessed whether the business is suitable for participation in the FSSDN and fits within the sampling plan. Wageningen Social & Economic Research attaches great importance to the quality of the FSSDN and, consequently, to the quality of the research carried out using FSSDN data.   

When a business is eligible to participate, it receives a letter and is invited for an introductory meeting with one of the Financial Farm Management Specialists from Wageningen Social & Economic Research. During this meeting, participation in the FSDN is explained, and confidentiality and privacy are discussed. Once the entrepreneur agrees to take part, the data collection and processing process begins.

Each year, participants receive a farm accountancy report providing detailed insights into business performance. They also receive an annual benchmarking report that allows results to be compared anonymously and by reference number with other participants in the network (if written consent has been given).

These documents are available in MijnAgrimatie (in Dutch), or on paper if preferred. MijnAgrimatie is a secure online environment where participants can view their farm accountancy report and interactively compare their performance with that of other businesses (after written consent). Each participant receives a personal login code for access.

From 2026 (for financial year 2025), new participants will receive a one-off start-up payment of €250 once their business has joined the network, in recognition of their contribution to the data collection.

In 2026, participants will also receive several newsletters per year with updates and links to relevant research. 

The farm accountancy report provides a complete overview of your company’s costs, revenues and sustainability performance. It complements your fiscal annual report and offers valuable insights into how your business develops over time.

The benchmarking report allows you to compare your company with anonymised businesses of other participants in the network (if you have given written consent). Comparisons can be made on a wide range of economic and environmental indicators, such as energy use, feed costs and use of crop protection products. 

With a team of approximately 75 people, we collect and process all financial and sustainability data for the Dutch Farm Sustainability Data Network.

Our administrative staff (financial and business economics specialists) each maintain their own portfolio of businesses in a sector of their choice: arable farming, dairy farming, poultry, pig farming, or (greenhouse) horticulture. They also manage relationships with farmers, growers, and fishermen.

Our data stewards ensure that data collection is as efficient as possible. Using secure systems, with the permission of the FSDN participants, they import data from external parties and process it centrally.

Our functional managers ensure that our administrative system functions properly. They also provide support to the administrative staff from the helpdesk.

We operate from eight offices across the country. Wageningen and The Hague are our two main locations. Our regional offices are located in Alkmaar, Drachten, Goes, Holten, Oisterwijk, and Meijel.

The regional heads each manage two offices. They are the first point of contact for both project and HR matters.

• Interesting roles in the agricultural sector, focusing on data and business administration.
• Enjoy a great mix of independent work and teamwork.
• Variety offered by working in the office, from home, and regularly visiting farmers, horticulturists, and fishermen participating in the Farm Sustainability Data Network.
• Work in small, regional teams with a positive work atmosphere, combined with the benefits of the large WUR organization and its excellent secondary conditions.
• Part-time or full-time work, flexible hours, and the option to work from home part-time.