Farm businesses: adoption, adaptation and knowledge transfer and public policy
Operational research project code: GIN 723
Adoption, adaptation and knowledge transfer are thought to be key factors in lifting productivity growth among farming businesses in New Zealand. In New Zealand and abroad much is known about many of the new technologies that have been adopted by farming sectors that seem to have lead to productivity and output growth. For example, the adoption of improved pasture management practices and use of scanning technologies by sheep and beef farmers is often cited as a reason for the lift in agriculture sector productivity growth over the past 15 years.
Little is known about the factors that influence the rate of adoption among farming businesses, or the interaction between farming businesses, communities, and the industry organisations that support them. There are a range of views and models, policies and mechanisms that generate adoption and technology transfer among farming businesses and across rural communities.
This study seeks to explore the above issues in detail. With particular focus on the agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors (but not exclusively), MAF Policy would like to investigate domestic and international research factors that influence adoption of productivity-enhancing activities and technologies. This research should summarise relevant experiences, policies and models used in comparable jurisdictions and draw together key policy conclusions and recommendations.
This work may cover adoption and knowledge transfer at a business and community level but it is not proposed that this study directly critique New Zealand’s public science system or the Commodity Levels Act 1990.
This is a large amount of work (domestically and internationally) that focuses on particular aspects of adoption and technology transfer. This work spans both on-farm and post farm gate activities across primary, manufacturing and service sector businesses. While this research and analysis is adding to the pool of knowledge, little has been done to draw together the learning from this work and to link it to the policy development framework. This project seeks to address this specific information gap.
Contact:
Peter Gardiner
Tel: 04 894 0623
Email: peter.gardiner@maf.govt.nz
Contact for Enquiries
Manager, Innovation Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand
Tel:+64 4 894 0618
Fax:+64 4 894 0741
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