Information, Decision and Action: The factors that determine farmers’ environmental decision-making
Authors: Willie Smith; Steven Kelly; Tony Rhodes
Download the full report in PDF format [PDF 328KB]
Executive summary
This report examines the psychological, social and other factors that determine farmers’ different responses to environmental change. In particular, it is designed to explain why some farmers implement environmental strategies but others remain intransigent and resistant to change.
A random sample of 40 Waikato dairy farmers and interviews with five representatives of regional institutions and national organisations were used to provide an empirical basis for the report. The research and subsequent findings are grounded in a review and analysis of the literature concerning technology change and innovation. Particular attention is paid to the recent literature on the adoption of environmental technologies.
The report identifies four paradoxes in farmers values, attitudes and behaviours and explains these within a simple model framework. This is then used to support the need for a new research agenda which gives greater priority to social and cultural structures, institutional arrangements and policy and economic incentives. It is argued that it is only through greater attention to these contextual factors that the necessary value shift and behavioural changes to support the development of a more sustainable agriculture will occur.
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Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change
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PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 CLIMATE (254 628)
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