The Influence Of Social Factors on the Future Performance of the Primary Production Sectors
MAF Policy Technical Paper 2000/13
Prepared for MAF Policy
by
Ruth Underwood and Jack Ripley
Agriculture New Zealand Ltd
Tauranga
April 2000
ISSN 1171-4662
ISBN 0-478-20061-7
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry does not accept any responsibility or liability for error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion which may be present, nor for the consequences of any decision based on this information.Reprinting of material from this report is welcomed (except for commercial use or on advertising or promotional material), provided proper acknowledgement is made to the source.
Comments on the contents of this paper, including errors of fact, omission and interpretation, would be appreciated and should be directed to:
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Telephone (04) 894 0100
Facsimile (04) 474 4206
Requests for further copies should be directed to:
The Publications Officer
MAF Information Bureau
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Telephone (04) 894 0100
Facsimile (04) 894 0720
This document is available on MAF's website at http://www.maf.govt.nz.
Forward
In this report two experienced agricultural and horticultural consultants reviewed 14 significant social research projects (completed in the period 1993 to early 1999) for any indicators relevant to the future performance of the primary production sectors. Most of the review work was carried out by April 1999.
The researchers conclude that previous social research projects present a gloomy picture for rural New Zealand. Despite this, the adoption of technology in the home, on the farm, and in infrastructural services is combining to at least maintain primary sector productivity. This situation is expected to continue for the next 5 to 10 years.
The authors discuss farmer perceptions of a number of key social issues in rural New Zealand with a potential to impact on farming, and conclude that significant impacts within the next 5 to 10 years are not great.
However, beyond this time frame, the authors indicate that without change, the combination of a number of social factors has the ability to impact negatively on primary sector outputs.
Concern is expressed at the consequences of changes in land use; increasing reliance on off-farm employment; travel time and access to services; increased stress levels; the effects of women working off-farm; difficulties obtaining farm labour; succession; and the demands of voluntary work on individuals and farming operations.
The authors provide a précis of the main reports reviewed, and present a set of conclusions for readers to consider. They enhance the use of the report by including a comprehensive issues cross-referencing section.
The report has much to recommend it as a stand-alone document, and as a basis for accessing further information of interest to a wide range of organisations and agencies with an interest in the health of rural New Zealand and the future performance of the primary production sectors.
Alan Walker
Director, Policy Information and Regions
MAF Policy
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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