Farm fatality rates in NSW have not improved for more than a decade.

A new research paper shows farm fatality rates barely moved between 2001 and 2015.

About 370 people died on farms during that period.

There were about 17 deaths per 100,000 people, which is 12 times higher than the state's all-industry average.

Tractors and quad bikes were the leading causes of death, with men accounting for almost 90 per cent of all fatalities.

Report author Tony Lower says men over the age of 50 accounted for the majority of deaths caused by tractors and quad bikes.

“We want to keep our older producers in the game for as long as we can, or as they as they want to be in the game,” Mr Lower said.

“We need to find ways to actually ensure that they can continue to work within the industry safely.”

Mr Lower said SafeWork NSW is doing good work, but that farmers are sceptical of the organisation.

He said farmers are turned off by the fact SafeWork is both educator and enforcer on safety matters, and so some farmers miss advice and updates due to a fear of prosecution.

“We want to try and ensure that people do take forward the message that they can do something about this and that they can manage safety in the same way that they manage their crops and stock,” Mr Lower said.

Mr Lower wants more investment in evidence-based approaches to farm safety.