Census of agriculture (discontinued), 1999

In 1998/99 labour input for holdings with land in use totalled 2 300 full-time equivalents. On half of the holdings less than a half a full-time equivalent was employed. Around 800 of the holders worked 1 500 hours or more on their holdings.

Fewer holdings and increased land rental

The final census figures show that the number of holdings with land in use has fallen from 3 600 in 1989 to 2 500 in 1999, that is, a reduction of over 30 per cent. Agricultural area in use shows minor changes. Rented agricultural area was 140 000 decares in 1999, or a third of the total agricultural area. In 1989 rented land made up a fourth of all agricultural area in use. Those who rented land in 1999 paid a total of NOK 32 million or NOK 250 per decare for rent.

2 300 full-time equivalents

In all, labour input corresponding to 2 300 full-time equivalents was employed on the holdings in Vestfold. On 1 300 holdings the total labour input was less than half a full-time equivalent each, while about 700 holdings had labour inputs of one full-time equivalent or more. Of the 4 500 holders in all (including spouses and cohabitants) 800 worked at least 1 500 hours on their holding. The corresponding figure for 1989 was 1 200. It is still men who are responsible for most of the labour input on the holdings.

For the first time, labour input in so-called supplemental industries has been surveyed. Supplemental industries are activities that utilize a holdings land, buildings or machinery. Half of the holdings, or <br/>1 250 units, engaged in supplemental industries to an extent equal to 200 full-time equivalents. It is machinery-related services that are the largest supplemental industry, with just about 700 holdings engaging in machinery-related services in 1998/1999. This is followed by rental of outbuildings and farmhouses and processing own timber as the most important activities.

The most full-time equivalents were employed in Larvik municipality, which is the largest agricultural municipality in the county. 470 full-time equivalents were employed in agriculture and horticulture, and on a third of the 500 holdings in use, one or more full-time equivalents were employed.

Agricultural training on half of the holdings

On about half of the holdings one or both of the holders has postsecondary agricultural training. 45 per cent of the male holders and 10 per cent of the female holders has such agricultural training. Most have agricultural training at the agronomy or technician level or higher. In this context any spouses or cohabitants are also considered holders.

1 650 men and 280 women have taken possession through allodial rights

Of the approximately 2 500 holdings in Vestfold, 2 200 were operated by their owners, whereas the rest were leased. Just under 2 000 of the properties were taken over through allodial rights, and of these, 1 650 were taken over by men. And of these in turn, there were 1 300 who had best allodial rights. Of the 280 who had taken possession through allodial rights, 170 had best rights.

In each of the last five-year periods about 15-20 per cent of all properties changed hands. This situation is practically unchanged since 1989.

Other results

In its survey of the various conditions in the agricultural industry the Census of Agriculture ranges widely. For more information, please refer to the appendix of tables and municipality data. Contact Statistics Norway for more information or to have the data arranged differently.