Empowering farmers for increased resilience in uncertain times
R. Nettle A E , M. Ayre A , R. Beilin B , S. Waller A , L. Turner C , A. Hall C , L. Irvine C and G. Taylor D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Rural Innovation Research Group, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
B Landscape Sociology Group, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
C Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, PO Box 3523, Burnie, Tas. 7320, Australia.
D DairyNZ, Corner Ruakura and Morrinsville Roads, Newstead, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
E Corresponding author. Email: ranettle@unimelb.edu.au
Animal Production Science 55(7) 843-855 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14882
Submitted: 16 October 2014 Accepted: 24 March 2015 Published: 9 June 2015
Abstract
As farmers continue to face increasingly uncertain and often rapidly changing conditions related to markets, climate or the policy environment, people involved in agricultural research, development and extension (RD&E) are also challenged to consider how their work can contribute to supporting farmer resilience. Research from the social sciences conducted in the past decade has focussed on adaptability or adaptive capacity as a key attribute for individuals and groups to possess for managing resilience. It is, therefore, timely to ask the following: do current ways of doing and organising RD&E in the dairy sector in New Zealand and Australia contribute to supporting farm adaptability? This paper reports on results from an examination of case studies of challenges to resilience in the dairy sector in Australia and New Zealand (i.e. dairy farm conversion, climate-change adaptation, consent to farm) and the contribution of dairy RD&E in enhancing resilience of farmers, their farms and the broader industry. Drawing on concepts from resilience studies and considering an empowerment perspective, the analysis of these cases suggest that, currently, agricultural RD&E supports adaptability in general, but varies in the strength of its presence and level of activity in the areas known to enhance adaptability. This analysis is used to generate principles for dairy scientists and others in the RD&E system to consider in (1) research designs, (2) engaging different farmers in research and (3) presenting research results differently. This represents a significant shift for the science and advisory communities to move to methods that acknowledge uncertainty and facilitate learning.
Additional keywords: adaptability, role of RD&E, social networks.
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