Value of grower group services to Western Australian farmers: a Discrete Choice Experiment

Grower Groups have contributed to the Western Australian agricultural research, development and extension (R, D & E) scene since their formation during the “Decade of Landcare” in the 1990s. The Grower Group (GG) approach to R, D & E has been thoroughly studied in terms of its qualitative value to farmers in Western Australia. However, the quantitative value of GG services to West Australian farmers is not yet understood. This paper attempts to determine the value of GGs to Western Australian farmers; and to better understand what GGs are doing, or need to do, to motivate farmers to become a member of these research organisations. This was conducted by surveying farmers across the state, with values inferred through the choice experiment methodology. The findings from this study demonstrate that farmers, who are currently a member of a GG, are willing to pay above current membership rates when provided with a variety of extension topics. However, there appears to be a perception amongst farmers, who are currently not a member of a GG, that research and extension coordinated by GGs will not be of any value to their farming business. The implications of these findings will be made available to GGs to assist them in improving their services and relevance in the agricultural industry.