Technical Papers - 1998
1998
98/2 The Role of On-Farm Quality Assurance and Environmental Management Systems (QA/EMS) in Achieving Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management Outcomes
Stuart Morriss (Project Leader) - July 1998
QA/EM systems, by linking consumer/market preferences to farmer/grower management practices, can clearly transmit market signals, as well as acting as a vehicle for meeting wider expectations relating to the impact of production systems on the environment. Significant progress has been made in developing QA/EM systems, but much work remains to be done. Government (central and/or its agencies) have roles to play in developing and facilitating acceptance of these systems, including: assisting collaboration between regional councils and other affected parties; helping to develop clear performance standards; linking quality systems with relevant legislation; helping to gain recognition, from our trading partners, of New Zealand QA/EM systems. Other sections of this paper deal with issues like: quality management systems (a review); and trends in consumer preferences for environmental and product quality.
98/3 Constraints to Farm Level Adoption of New Sustainable Technologies and Management Practices in New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture
Rauniyar, G.; Parker, W.
This paper aimed to identify technologies and management practices that could enhance sustainable agricultural production, as well as factors that constrained them being taken up. Farmer-scientist/ policy advisor exchange forums, discussion groups, and a national mail survey were used to collect data. The forums identified four key issues relevant to the uptake of sustainable technologies and management practices: the need for a reciprocal information flow between the developers, suppliers, and users of technical and management information; the need for farmer lobby group participation in the shaping and implementation of government policy; farmers said they were not receiving proper market signals on which to base their own decision-making (pointing to a need for more effective marketing research, information and forecasting); and there was a need for more off-farm employment and income opportunities for farmers. These four themes were backed up in the discussion groups. In general, farmers' mail response reflected their current farming practices. Their opinion was largely driven by economic and financial factors (farmers were willing to change their practices, provided the changes could be shown to be profitable).
98/4 East Coast North Island Sustainability Issues
Peter Andrew, Rob Hayes & Hillton Collier - June 1998
Forty-nine survey participants were questioned on a range of social, economic, physical and community issues associated with sustainability. This was to determine: what were their perceptions about sustainability (and whether there were any ethnic differences), what actions and plans had been put in place, and what constraints existed on these actions and plans. The key result was that although there are large numbers of factors perceived to be associated with sustainability, few perception differences exist between Maori and non-Maori farmers. In farmers' minds, economic and physical sustainability are closely linked. It's argued that knowledge uptake and improved management techniques are the key factors enabling farmers to be sustainable. Other results include: the main threats to the farm were perceived to be low income, then personal health; the main factor affecting physical sustainability for Maori was soil fertility, and erosion of hills for non-Maori; and primary uses for extra income was, respectively, fertiliser, fencing and debt reduction.
98/5 Biophysical and Ecological Impacts of Rural Subdivision
Grant Hunter, Peter Jarvis, Margaret Kilvington, Trevor Partridge, Trevor Webb,
Wendy Macdonald and Caroline Saunders - June 1988
Subdivision of rural land into smaller lots is a contentious issue in NZ planning. This project looked at a range of impacts of subdivision into rural lots (1-10ha) in two case study areas. The study focused on: the nature of the biophysical and ecological impacts; how an understanding of these impacts could be translated into resource management processes within the Resource Management Act; and the applicability to NZ of overseas economics-based models (for assessing environmental effects). Surveys, a literature review, and reviews of regional policy documents (e.g., plans and district plans) were used. Both positive and negative biophysical and ecological impacts were identified in the study areas, but the impacts were little different to those found in nearby larger-scale land uses areas. Rather than trying to develop a set of generic environmental health indicators, it's suggested that it is better to identify the critical components that are sensitive in the particular area being subdivided. Likewise, it is sensible to tailor policy and planning responses in a site-specific rather than a generic way. Overseas economics-based models don't fit the NZ context particularly well. 'Production' based methods, however, may offer some scope for future development work.
98/6
The Experience of Women in Co-management Landcare Groups - Issues of Representation, Participation and Decision-making
Trudy Lea Brasell-Jones - June 1998
Co-management arrangements refer to managing local natural resources by ways that achieve a balanced representation of all interests within the community. Yet, often there is a gender imbalance in such groups. National surveys and two case studies analysed the experience of women over one year. Sections in the report include: the different needs of women in such groups and the barriers they face, national pattern's of women's' unequal experience in co-management groups, a more detailed analysis of the two case studies, and the opportunities and constraints existing for addressing gender issues by planners. Ways are suggested for improving the participation of women, for example, committees being more open to different decision-making styles, involving women at the early stages of group formation, and reflecting women's issues and concerns by not solely concentrating on the economic aspects of sustainability.
98/7
Social Dimensions Affecting the Development of Organic Agriculture
Ruth Liepins and Hugh Campbell - February 1998
Using Canterbury organic farming as a model, this project focused on two factors: how producers access organic farming knowledge; and how the gender of the participants affects their experience of organic farming and industry participation. Research methods included individual and group interviews, telephone surveys, and focus group meetings. When accessing information men more frequently participate in formal public arenas, whereas women tend to use discussion-based opportunities and informal networks. Women appear to have the primary 'information management' role on the farms studied. The industry itself operates as a network of stakeholders (e.g., producers, processors, retailers, certifiers etc.). It's argued that the support of industry and community networks is crucial for an understanding and uptake of sustainable agricultural systems. In Canterbury, it seems that a gender imbalance (regarding women's' participation and leadership roles) is hampering further development of the industry.
98/8
Family dynamics among urban to rural migrants: A study of households moving out of urban areas in New Zealand
Charles Waldegrave and Shane Stuart - June 1998
Since 1991, increasing movement of low-income and beneficiary households from urban areas to nearby towns and rural areas has occurred. This project studied: household composition, the perceived plusses and minuses of living in rural areas, and what it cost to buy essentials in rural areas. 1300+ such households were surveyed. Findings include: a high proportion of rural 'in-migrants' are families, and they mostly move for physical and aesthetic reasons (e.g., the environment, the community, the lifestyle); and the main disadvantages are lack of facilities, isolation and few jobs. It's suggested that in-migrants may benefit small towns (e.g., by increasing diversity and bringing in new ideas, providing a stable market for local businesses, and providing a basis for towns to argue for more services and facilities).
98/9
Land Use Change and Response in the Gisborne District of Waipaoa: Summary of a Case Study Using a Multistakeholder Approach
Landcare Research - June 1998
Rural communities face considerable challenges as a result of land-use change. Communities wanting to successfully manage these changes means communities need to use a process that fulfils a number of 'core principles', including the need to be: comprehensive (reflecting social, economic and environmental aspects), owned and driven by the community itself, and aimed at achieving sustainable (i.e., long-term) outcomes. The project used a multistakeholder approach (one aiming to involve all affected interest groups of a community in developing solutions to problems. Findings from the study include: the need to understand the nature of the community and the issues it faces before developing ways of ensuring that all affected parties can participate; and that the approach does take perseverance and commitment, a willingness to listen to and to take account of others' views, and the ability to think long-term.
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