The research provided evidence that likely participation cannot be predicted on the basis of socio-demographic or business descriptors , or location of a business . Instead , it is important to understand the psychological factors , i . e . attitudes and motivations that drive decision making along financial considerations and ( risk ) perceptions .
7.3.6 Wambiana producer extension workshop 15 March 2016 DAF organised a workshop with 16 landholders to get their perspective on the barriers to the adoption of grazing BMPs across the grazing industry and suggestions for effective interventions to support adoption ( O ’ Reagain 2016 ). Key barriers identified were :
• Lack of motivation : People may be unaware of decline in land condition , ignorant of better management , comfortable in their present situation and consequently see no need to change ;
• Financial barriers , both perceived ( i . e . the belief that more cattle = more money ) or actual ( i . e . need to service high debt levels or lack of funds or resources , both labour and equipment )
• Uncertainty and risk : Uncertainty about the costs and benefits of BMPs in terms of profitability , land condition , time etc
• Lack of time to think , plan , consider and implement new strategies , either perceived or real .
• Lack of peer support and industry leadership , ie . needing encouragement , advice , mentoring and relevant demonstrations .
These barriers are entirely consistent with those identified in the Burdekin landholders survey 10 years earlier ( Section 7.3.3 ) and validate the ongoing relevancy of the adoption theory .
Workshop participants delivered suggestions for tools to support adoption , namely :
• peer groups , e . g . in the form of catchment groups ;
• targeted extension and 1-on-1 mentoring ;
• business planning ;
• critical thinking skills and identification of priorities ;
• illustrations in the form of case studies and cost benefit analyses ; and
• demonstrations ( in-field , print and digital ).
The suggested interventions highlight the critical role of locally relevant and persuasive illustration and extension , the need for approaches which are individualised for each landholder and their business , and the critical role of local support networks .
7.3.7 2016 NESP survey Farr et al . ( 2017 ) recently interviewed 80 graziers across the Burdekin catchment . The sample did not appear to include any respondents from the BBB . While the survey data are yet to be analysed , some of the comments offered by grazier respondents are insightful and support the previous studies .
In particular , graziers who participated in previous ‘ Holistic Management ’ / Grazing Land Management and ‘ Grazing for Profit ’ workshops had found those helpful .
One respondents articulated the conundrum faced by the MIP process : ( p . 24 ):
“… ensure that the funding is shared evenly . However , if there is funding available and there is no other interest , ensure that those who are willing to put the effort into doing ”
This is relevant in the context that public investment in the form of policies and programs is subject to a range of criteria , including effectiveness , efficiency and perceived equity ( Greiner et al . 2000 ). Trade-offs exist between these criteria . The MIP is designed for maximum effectiveness and other policy objectives that commonly apply may need to assume lower priority .
- 68 -