Australia since its demise due to insect attack in the 1970s. With new insect resistant varieties lucerne is once again becoming a viable pasture option for farmers. There is however, a slow rate of adoption of lucerne for a number of social and economic factors. The main limitations to the adoption of lucerne by farmers are past negative experience, farm systems dominated by annual pastures, changing wool and wheat commodity prices and perceived establishment and management difficulties. To overcome these socio-economic limitations a Model of Lucerne Adoption was developed in which the target group for the technology, the farmer, took an interactive role in the implementation of a research and extension program

Blacklow, L J

Cocks, P

English

University of Kentucky

Session 24 - Technology Transfer 24-25ID No. 674Farmer participation in the development and implementation of a new technology:Introduction of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), a perennial legume, into South-WestWestern Australia.L-J. Blacklow1, P.Cocks21CLIMA, Agriculture Western Australia, Katanning 6317.2CLIMA, University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6907.ABSTRACTLucerne is experiencing a resurgence in popularity in south-west WesternAustralia since its demise due to insect attack in the 1970s.  With newinsect resistant varieties lucerne is once again becoming a viable pastureoption for farmers.  There is however, a slow rate of adoption of lucernefor a number of social and economic factors.  The main limitations tothe adoption of lucerne by farmers are past negative experience, farmsystems dominated by annual pastures, changing wool and wheatcommodity prices and perceived establishment and managementdifficulties. To overcome these socio-economic limitations a Model ofLucerne Adoption was developed in which the target group for thetechnology, the farmer, took an interactive role in the implementationof a research and extension program.KEYWORDSLucerne (Medicago sativa L.), farmer participation, research, extensionINTRODUCTIONThe south-west of Western Australia has a dryland salinity problemassociated with rising watertables.  Presently, 1.8 million hectares ofagricultural land is affected with estimates for the area to increase to 6million hectares within the next 15 years (Anon, 1996).  Dryland lucerne(Medicago sativa L.), a deep rooted perennial legume pasture species,has the potential to economically improve farm sustainability bydecreasing ground watertables.  Farmers however, for a number of socialand economic reasons, have been slow to adopt lucerne with areaestablished since 1980 remaining at less than 10 thousand hectares (ABS,1994).To maximise the area and rate at which lucerne is established the Modelof Lucerne Adoption (MLA) was developed from modifications to theFarming Systems Research and Extension model (Jiggens, 1993).  Thispaper will discuss how the Model of Lucerne Adoption uses farmerparticipation to maximise the efficacy of adoption of lucerne in WesternAustralia.Economic and Social Factors Affecting Lucerne AdoptionThe slow uptake of lucerne in Western Australian farm systems can beattributed to four factors• Insects• Dominance of annual pastures• Establishment and management difficulties• Commodity pricesArea of lucerne in Western Australia was reduced by 85% between 1970and 1980 due to attack by the Spotted Alfalfa Aphid (Therioaphis trifolii(Monell) maculata) and the Blue Green Aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoiShinji). Variety improvement research programs have developed newcultivars with Spotted Alfalfa Aphid and Blue Green Aphid resistance.However, the 1990’s farmer is not confident in new varieties andconsequently, not prepared to re-establish lucerne pastures.Annual legume pasture species are the dominant component of the leyfarming system because of desirable characteristics such as tolerance toheavy continuous grazing, hard seededness and contribution to soilnitrogen (Gladstone, 1975).  Whilst lucerne can potentially equal thebenefits of an annual legume, management of annual and perennialspecies is very different.  Schroder et al  (1993) conducted a survey inNorth Central Victoria and found that poor adoption of lucerne was dueto establishment difficulties and the need for rotational grazing of thelucerne.  This observation was supported by Hill (1996) who attributedthe major constraint for adoption of lucerne was due to the dominanceof annual pasture management practices and an unwillingness change.Both Schroder and Hill suggested that most perceived establishmentand management difficulties were problems that could be overcome bya better program of extension.The final factor that has contributed to poor adoption of lucerne hasbeen the decrease in wool and an increase in wheat commodity pricesover the last five years (ABARE, 1996).  Changing market trends haveforced many farm businesses to shift allocation of land from sheep tocrop enterprises.  Consequently, incentive to invest in pastureimprovement in the present economic climate remains low.Model of Lucerne AdoptionIn light of social experience and economic trends the Model of LucerneAdoption (MLA) was developed.  The model encourages exchange ofideas and a pro-active approach to implemention of lucerne researchand extension activities.  The hypothesis tested by the model is that ifpeople who the technology is aimed at take ownership through decisionmaking, then the rate and efficacy of technology adoption will increase.The MLA is structured on the Farming Systems Research and ExtensionModel (FSR/E) where the farmer is conceptualised as a system managerand the extension agent as a diagnostic partner and promoter of newtechnologies and practices among members of like farming systems(Jiggens, 1993).  The MLA consists of a research institute and a fundingbody who support an on ground lucerne research and technologydeveloper (LRTD).  The role of the LRTD is to facilitate a committee offarmers who represent a larger group of farmers who will potentiallyadopt lucerne.  The LRTD, the committee and the wider mass of potentialadopters form the Great Southern Lucerne Growers Group (GSLGG).There are flows of communication to and from all levels of the modelwith ideas becoming more concentrated as the flow of information movestowards the LRTD (Figure 1).The research and extension program is regularly revised after discussionsbetween committee members and lucerne growers.  The LRTD togetherwith other agronomists and extension specialists facilitate communicationat each level and work with the committee to formalise a program whichbest meets the interests of the farmer.  Using this approach one of themajor weaknesses of the FSR/E model is addressed, that is it fails to betruly interactive, with the research body remaining the focus of ideacreation and expansion.Implementation of a Research and Extension ProgramResearchInvolvement of the GSLGG in the process of experimentation strengthensownership, applicability and credibility of results for the farmers whoobserve the experiments.  Farmers participate at all stages from thedevelopment of experiments, to their implementation and monitoringoften loaning machinery for use in establishment and management ofsites.ExtensionIf you tell me, I will listen.If you show me, I will see.If you let me experience, I will learn.Lao-Tse, 430 BCTo tell, show and experience are the fundamental components of adultlearning.  The MLA uses the ‘tell and show’ components in extensionwith the aim of maximising the dissemination of information so that theSession 24 - Technology Transfer 24-26farmer is facilitated to experience and therefore, learn.  Farmer-Farmerinteraction is strongly encouraged because it allows communication tooccur between people who have a common empathy for farming life.Sharing ‘real life’ experiences leads to credibility and trust of informationthat is shared.  The three tools of extension used in the MLA arenewsletters, field days / forums and the media (radio and print).Measure of SuccessSeed SalesProjected estimates for 1997 seed sales is 72 tonnes.  This is a four foldincrease on the quantity of seed sold in 1995 (Figure 2).  If an assumptionis made that the lucerne is sown at a rate of 4 kg/ha then the total area oflucerne that will be established at the end of the 1997 season will beapproximately 34 thousand hectares.  This represents an 88% increasein area since 1994.  Hill (1996) estimated that 9.32 million hectares ofsouth-west Western Australia is potentially suitable for lucerne however,a project aim of 100 thousand hectares has identified as feasible.  At thecurrent rate of establishment this aim would be achieved in the year2003.Great Southern Lucerne Growers Group MembershipThe GSLGG was formed in September 1995 and has since attracted100 subscribing members.  Of this group 50% have established lucernesince becoming members.DiscussionFarmers who decide to grow lucerne will do so on knowledge collectedfrom other environments and adapted to Western Australia.  It is expectedthat initially, the rate of adoption of lucerne will be slow and only bythose farmers who are considered to be innovators.  It is not expectedthat farmers who tend to be risk adverse will sow lucerne until it isproven in the Western Australia environment.The major problem with the Model of Lucerne Adoption is that it hasdifficulty in co-coordinating outside interests, particularly that ofcommercial business.  There exists the temptation for entrepreneurs,who have minimal experience with lucerne agronomy to incorrectlyadvise their clients.  Given the fledgling nature of the lucerne industryin Western Australia incorrect advice that leads to economic loss throughestablishment or management failure must be avoided.The next developmental stage of this model is to bring together allexternal parties interested in lucerne and devise an action plan that willbenefit all participants, most of all the farmer.CONCLUSIONIf social and economic factors hindering establishment of lucerne canbe identified and overcome through the successful implementation ofthe Model of Lucerne Adoption in Western Australia then it can beexpected that the aim of establishing 100 thousand hectares of lucerneby the year 2003 will be achieved.REFERENCESAnon (1996). Salinity a situation statement for Western Australia: a reportto the minister for primary industry and minister for the environment.Chief executive officers of Agriculture Western Australia, Conservationand Land Management, Department of environment protection and theWater and Rivers Commission.Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics(ABARE) (1996). Australian commodity statistics.  Commonwealth ofAustralia. pp 225-237Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (1993-94).  Agriculture WesternAustralia. ABS Catalogue 7113.5.Gladstones, J.S. (1975). Legumes and Australian Agriculture; FarrerMemorial Oration, 1975.  The Journal of the Australian Institute ofAgricultural Science pp 227-240.Hill, M.J. (1996). Potential adaptation zones for temperate pasturespecies as constrained by climate: a knowledge-based logical modellingapproach. Australian Journal of Agriculture Research V 47: 1095-117.Jiggens, J (1993). From technology transfer to resource management.Proceedings of the XVII International Grassland Congress 1993. pp 615-622.Schroder, P.M., Ransom, K.P., Coffey, M. and Montgomery, A.J.(1993). Meeting the challenge of increasing the rate of sowing perennialpasture in Victoria.  National Conference on Land Management forDryland Salinity Control, La Trobe University Bendigo, 28 September- 1 October 1993.Figure 2Seed sales of lucerne (Medicago sativa L. ) in Western Australia in1995 and 1996 and projected seed sales for 1997.Figure 1Model of Lucerne Adoption in Western Australia Farm Systems.

Farmer participation in the development and implementation of a new technology: Introduction of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), a perennial legume, into South-West Western Australia

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Farmer participation in the development and implementation of a new technology: Introduction of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), a perennial legume, into South-West Western Australia

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