Recovering localised information on agricultural structures while observing data confidentiality regulations - the potential of different data aggregation and segregation techniques

Abstract

RAUMIS, a modelling and information system used in policy impact assessments, can be used to measure the impact of agriculture on the environment. County-level resolution often limits the analysis, and further disaggregation at the municipality level would reduce aggregation bias and improve the assessment. Although the necessary data exist in Germany, data protection regulations (DPRs) prohibit its direct use. By obtaining the locally weighted averages and aggregating individual production activities into larger groups, aggregated data at the municipality level can be made available. The aggregation reduces the information content and introduces additional error. The goal of this study was to determine the necessary amount of information to estimate Germany-wide production activities at the municipality level while ascertaining compliance with the DPR. We applied the highest posterior density estimation and tested different prior information content at the municipality level. The results indicated that the proposed approach can be used to adequately estimate most activities without violating the DPR. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.