Challenges of on-farm research - insights from the Central Queensland farming systems experience

Abstract

The “Sustainable Farming Systems for Central Queensland” project aims to develop profitable and sustainable farming systems in central Queensland and to have these systems widely adopted. Farmer-based groups are involved in on-farm research into system components at ten locations in central Queensland, with project staff facilitating and guiding this research and system development.
At the project’s inception, on-farm research was seen as a means of integrating Research, Development and Extension (R,D&E), resulting in research outcomes relevant to producers therefore improving the rate of adoption. Although the use of on-farm research has produced locally relevant system components that are being adopted, using this methodology has not been without its challenges. This paper describes the experiences of the authors in implementing on-farm research, detailing the challenges faced and methods used to deal with them.