Stimulating private sector extension in Australian agriculture to increase returns from R&D Value of the Grower Group networks in the agricultural extension landscape A/Prof Ruth Nettle Leader, Rural Innovation Research Group, University of Melbourne 1
Stimulating private sector extension in Australian agriculture to increase returns from R&D Stimulating private sector extension in Australian agriculture to increase returns from R&D (http://rirg.fvas.unimelb.edu.au/ag-extension) 2
Project: Stimulating private sector extension in Australian agriculture to increase returns from R&D (Rural R&D for Profit program project) Farmer and adviser Expert Panel & forums and national International review surveys Identify practical proposals Research Collaborative Cross-sectoral to stimulate private sector R&D, Cross sector extension services, collaboration particularly to fill current gaps. Adviser capability: 8 on- Private sector line learning modules in engagement (4 trials) agricultural extension
Overview of presentation 1. Positioning of grower groups in the national agricultural extension landscape • Results from National farmer and adviser survey • Implications and opportunities for grower group networks 2. Results of 4 engagement trials with private sector 3. Professional development modules in agricultural extension 4
2. National farmer and adviser survey (Farmer: July-September 2016 (Adviser: December 2016-February 2017) Adviser responses Farmer responses N=655 N=1003 Large no. of sole Grains n=171 operators and SME’s Mixed cropping/ (1-5 other people in grazing n= 76 their organisation provided Beef and/or information, advice sheep n= 323 and support to farmers) (n=324) 5
Producers seek new opportunities... 77% agree - Grains Q: “Identifying new opportunities in 75% agree -Sheep (meat) farming is essential” 64% agree -Sheep (Wool) 76% agree -Beef (n=323 –livestock/mixed); (n=171 grains) 6
However, producers are seeing challenges: knowledge system Q: “I always know 46% agree: Mixed cropping/grazing where to get the 38% agree : Cropping/ grains information or 34% agree: Sheep (meat) advice 32% agree: Beef that I need” 31% agree : Sheep (Wool) (n=323 –livestock/mixed); (n=171 grains) 7
and have multiple objectives… Q: “It is important 71% agree cropping (grains)* in farming to focus 70% agree mixed cropping/grazing* on profit” ……………. 52% agree Sheep (meat) 49% agree Sheep (Wool) 52% agree Beef (n=323 –livestock/mixed); (n=171 grains) 8
Source of information, advice and support • Government (PUBLIC) • Research and development corporations/Industry (PUBLIC- PRIVATE) • Product reseller / farm input suppliers (PRIVATE-COMMERCIAL) • Independent (Fee-for-service) advisers (PRIVATE) • Farmer-owned information, advice and support organisations (PRIVATE – NOT FOR PROFIT) • Processing companies (PRIVATE) • Other NGO – (community/not for profit) (THIRD SECTOR) 9
Farmers used 4 sources of information, advice and support (on average) Sources where farmers obtained information, advice or support (all n=1003; main source n=978) 85% Product re-sellers / farm input suppliers 20% 72% Research and development corporations 14% 69% Farmer-owned information, advice and support… 11% 64% Government 10% 63% Independent (fee-for-service) advisers - such as… 32% 53% Processing companies you supply 7% 4 sources were 10% Other 4% used on average 10 Currently use Use as main source
…and this is expected to increase (five years) Expected use of services overall and by main service used 31% 38% More (a lot / a little 36% 25% more) Same 56% 53% 52% 51% 7% 9% 10% Less (a lot / a little less) 20% Independent Research and Total (fee-for-service) development Government (n=978) advisers (n=305) corporations (n=92) (n=152) Q.16. Still thinking about your experiences with [INSERT SOURCE FROM Q11], in the next five years or so, do you expect your use of information, support, or advice to be… Base: All respondents with a main source 11 = statistically significant difference *=low base size
….and ALL sources support change on Australian farms: no monopoly on change Between 78-82% (n=954 farmers) of farmers described changes related to…. ...farm practices ...inputs & products ...farm business …infrastructure, machinery & equipment 12 (size of category related to number of comments)
- changes related to infrastructure/machinery/equ ipment…. Farmer- Farmer-owned owned organisations 40% 35% 30% Other Government were over- 25% 20% 15% represented for 10% 5% Independent 0% influencing this R & D fee-for- corporations type of change service Product Processing resellers companies Sample Changes to infrastructure, machinery & equipment 13
However, advisors desire more involvement with agricultural research, development and extension Desire to be involved in various activities: Invitations to be kept up to date on extension 32% 40% 25% 2% 1% programs and projects Translation of research outputs 2% 24% 42% 30% 3% Discussions / input around research priorities 24% 42% 31% 2% 2% Involved in design, development and delivery 25% 38% 30% 4% 3% of extension projects / programs A lot more Some more No more or less Less A lot less 14 Q40 - And to what degree would you like to be involved in each of the following activities Base: All Employee and Sole Operators (n=365)
Keeping up to date with the latest research was important for advisers… Sources of information 66% Rural Research and Development… 23% 65% Australian Research organisations 11% 65% Government departments 11% 62% Technical experts (e.g. agronomists,… 11% 60% Own organisation/internal information 20% 48% Own farming clients or other farmers 6% 46% Private companies / product information /… 5% 30% Farmer-owned extension services… 3% Q29 - How important to you is keeping up to date 26% International sources with the latest research related to agriculture? 4% *Online Only Base: All Employee and Sole Operators (n=265) 20% Advisor networks (e.g. APEN) Only codes with 5% or more (Sources of Q30 - To keep up to date with the latest research 1% Information) have been shown here related to your role, what types of organisation do you go to? Q31 - And what is your main source of information? Sources of Information Main Source of Information 15 Base: All Employee and Sole Operators (n=365)
Implications and opportunities for Farming groups ü Farmer groups were those mentioned by most advisory organisations for future collaboration and co-operation related to information, advice and support for farmers ü Groups appear to provide much of the local/on-ground information and support “soft-infrastructure” that farmers seek – and this helps industry and government achieve their goals. 16
Implications and opportunities for Farming groups (1) ü Farmer groups are able to bring together the range of advisory groups and organisations at a local level. This is “innovation brokering”. 17
Conclusion: The future of farmer groups? Key questions The farmer group role is relevant and important for members and the wider “innovation system” 1. Is this role acknowledged and clear? 2. Is there emerging competition from others for this role? 3. Are there opportunities for efficiencies/effectiveness for farmer groups taking on a stronger role/changing the role? 4. Are there collaborations or partnerships for farmer groups that “make more sense”? (e.g. farm management consultants/machinery providers/product re-sellers)? 18
The trials: taking action (collaborative models to engage the private sector) 1. 3. Supply-chains through processors Advisory pathways: new entrants and professional (dairy, meat) (VIC) development (AUS) Lead RDC: Dairy Australia Lead RDC: MLA (partners: MLA and APL) 11 advisers/firms (associated 25 advisers (reach to with dairy, sheep, beef, hort) 5475 producers) (reach to 550 producers) 2. 4. Knowledge (research) connections (VIC, QLD) Precision agriculture (cotton, sugar) (QLD) Lead: Victorian government Lead RDC: Cotton RDC (AgVic) (partners: NSW DPI, SRA, (partners: SRA , Sugar & Cotton HIA,MLA) consultants; Digital Ag Suppliers) 10-15 advisers (reach of 12 advisers (reach of 450-600+ producers) 250-400 producers) 19
Professional Development modules in agricultural extension By June 30 2018 develop and pilot 8 modules of adviser training related to extension skills and the business model for maintaining demand. 20
The modules being piloted (on-line) 1 . Social media in agricultural innovation 2. Targeting farmers? Segmentation and adjusting advisory approaches. 3. Facilitating farm practice change (1) –why do people change? 4. Working your network: brokering adviser networks in agricultural innovation. 5. Facilitating farm practice change (2) –delivery approaches to enhance adoption and change 6. Making better use of knowledge assets 7. Evaluating impact in agricultural innovation and adoption 8. Analyzing the whole farm system 21
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