RABI has launched the largest ever research project relating to the wellbeing of farming people. The Big Farming Survey aims to identify how increasingly complex challenges within the sector are impacting people’s physical and mental wellbeing, as well as the health of farming businesses.
With mounting pressures and continued uncertainty in the sector, this vital research will provide a comprehensive overview of the farming community throughout England and Wales. The research seeks to identify the specific challenges that a generation of farming people face and highlight how these impacts on daily life.
Having supported the farming sector for over 160 years, RABI has set an ambitious target of gathering 26,000 survey responses in the weeks up to the 31 March 2021. RABI’s Chief Executive, Alicia Chivers is urging everyone in farming to support the project.
“To serve our community effectively, we require a greater understanding of how the challenges and uncertainties facing farming people are affecting daily life., We believe this important piece of research will deliver greater insight into the issues that impact on daily life and inform our understanding,” explains Alicia.
“It only takes 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire and everyone who participates will be making an important contribution towards building a comprehensive picture of life in agriculture today. The research will enable RABI and our partners to develop more effective tools and services to enhance farmer wellbeing now and into the future.”
“Beyond anecdotal or regional evidence, there is a pressing need for broad-scale, reliable evidence regarding the wellbeing of farming people. To achieve this we’re working with organisations and businesses throughout the industry to promote the Big Farming Survey through their networks. Even more importantly, we need individuals to get involved, set aside 15 minutes to complete the survey and ask the other members of your household or farming network to do the same.
Conducted by the Centre for Rural Research at the University of Exeter, the survey is open to all farmers, farmworkers, their spouses and adult-aged children until 31 March 2021.
The survey is available online via the RABI website, and hard copies are also being distributed in key farming publications.
Take part at http://ex.ac.uk/BigFarmingSurvey Now, or, request a printed copy from FarmSurvey@exeter.ac.uk
