The Fourth Plate

Research Objectives and Design

The Fourth Plate Global Food Systems Survey was designed as an exploratory study to gauge contemporary public opinion regarding the trade-offs between economic development and environmental protection, the future viability of the agricultural sector, and public perception of climate change impact on India’s food security.

The study was structured around 11 key questions covering themes such as land-use priority, policy efficacy (citing the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 as a specific case), career incentives for youth in agriculture, and household consumption patterns.

II. Sampling strategy and sample Size

Total Responses (N): 10,037 validated responses.

Data Collection Period: May 1 to October 31, 2025.

Sampling Methodology: The study employed a Non-Probability Sampling approach, specifically Self-Selection Sampling (also known as Volunteer Sampling).

• Rationale for Non-Probability Sampling: Given the study’s broad, national scope and the reliance on digital distribution (Google Forms and SurveyMonkey) for rapid and cost-effective data collection across a vast and diverse population, a statistically generalizable probability sample was deemed impractical. The non-probability approach was chosen to maximize the reach and diversity of opinions regarding highly salient political and environmental issues.
• Caveat on Generalizability: As this is a non-probability sample, the findings reflect the opinions of the self-selected respondent pool and are not statistically generalizable to the entire Indian population with a calculable margin of error. The size (enhances the statistical power within the sampled group but should be interpreted as a strong indication of prevailing sentiment among digitally engaged citizens.

III. Ethical Anonymity and Data Integrity

Anonymity as an Ethical and Methodological Choice: The survey was designed as a self-administered, fully anonymous instrument. This means that no personally identifiable information (PII)—such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, or IP addresses—was collected or recorded.

• Ethical Rationale: The primary reason for adopting full anonymity was to ensure maximal candor and minimize social desirability bias. Questions regarding policy failure (e.g., Q3) and perceived political efficacy (e.g., Q1) are sensitive. Guaranteeing that responses could not be traced back to an individual was crucial for encouraging honest, uncoerced feedback on these critical issues.

Lack of Personal Demographic Data: The study deliberately avoided collecting standard demographic data (like age, gender, or location) for the entire sample, primarily to uphold the principle of anonymity and maximize the response rate.

IV. Data Analysis and Limitations

Differential Response Rates (Non-Response Bias): The survey exhibited a differential response rate across various questions. Specifically, Q5 (“As a young person (18-35 years), how likely are you to consider agriculture as a career option?”) was answered by a self-selecting subset of the total population.

• Interpretation: The base for Q5 is smaller than the total , reflecting the number of respondents who considered the question relevant to their current age or circumstance. This phenomenon, known as item non-response, is accounted for by reporting percentages based on the total number of individuals who answered that specific question.
• Impact: While this does not compromise the validity of the responses received, it means the results for Q5 represent the opinions of the engaged youth or those who identify with that career decision, rather than a proportional slice of the entire  pool.

Data Scaling: For clear reporting, all raw response counts are presented alongside their corresponding percentages based on the total valid responses for that specific question, ensuring data integrity and transparency.