Facilitating industry adoption of intensive mango practices and new ag-technologies in Australia

Abstract

The Australian mango industry is valued at $ 218 million AUD per annum and is widely distributed across Australia’s remote, northern tropics. The adoption of intensive mango practices and the development of new ag-technologies is key to increasing industry efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. Two national projects, “Multi-scale Monitoring Tools for Managing Australian Tree Crops” (ST19001) and the “National Tree Crop Intensification in Horticulture Program” (AS18000) were implemented to facilitate greater industry awareness and adoption of new intensive practices and ag-technologies. Multiple communications and extension methods were used with farmers to increase awareness, interest and knowledgeability of the benefits of intensification and new ag-technologies. These included presentations, hard-copy and electronic resources, field tours and on-farm demonstration sites. The engagement of farmers as champions of intensification and hosts for demonstration trials was particularly effective in demonstrating the practicality and commerciality of these new practices. This strategy known as “farmer participatory research” harnesses the farmers practical experience and expertise, to improve the on-farm value of these innovations, which then facilitates greater industry adoption.