TY - JOUR
T1 - Grower groups and the transformation of agricultural research and extension in Australia
AU - Anil, B.
AU - Tonts, Matthew
AU - Siddique, Kadambot
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Over the past two decades, farmer-led grower groups have become increasingly important contributors to research and extension in Australia. This article draws on the case study of community- based grower groups in Western Australia, where a network of groups have emerged as central players in the state’s research and extension landscape. This article attempts to better understand how the groups operate to effectively impact, the extent and depth of their participation, their ability to build industry networks, and also some limitations associated with the community-based model. This article demonstrates that grower groups have become a highly effective contributor to farmer’s research and extension needs and play an important role in brokering linkages between different actors within rural industry. However, the model is not without limitations, is heavily reliant on volunteer input and goodwill on the part of farmers, and is facing increasing “inter- nalized” competition as a result of the rapid growth of groups.
AB - © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Over the past two decades, farmer-led grower groups have become increasingly important contributors to research and extension in Australia. This article draws on the case study of community- based grower groups in Western Australia, where a network of groups have emerged as central players in the state’s research and extension landscape. This article attempts to better understand how the groups operate to effectively impact, the extent and depth of their participation, their ability to build industry networks, and also some limitations associated with the community-based model. This article demonstrates that grower groups have become a highly effective contributor to farmer’s research and extension needs and play an important role in brokering linkages between different actors within rural industry. However, the model is not without limitations, is heavily reliant on volunteer input and goodwill on the part of farmers, and is facing increasing “inter- nalized” competition as a result of the rapid growth of groups.
U2 - 10.1080/21683565.2015.1081857
DO - 10.1080/21683565.2015.1081857
M3 - Article
SN - 2168-3565
VL - 39
SP - 1104
EP - 1123
JO - Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
JF - Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
IS - 10
ER -