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Agricultural diversity, farmers’ definitions and uses: The case of Tasmanian farms

The results of this study indicate that agricultural diversification can be a viable strategy even in high-income countries. Rather than providing generalised answers as to where and why diversification leads to benefits, the study instead sought to illustrate the various ways in which agricultural diversity can emerge. 
In regions such as Tasmania, where diversification strategies are already prevalent, future research and policies should aim to recognise the diverse approaches and conditions for diversification. The focus should be on overcoming the sometimes very individual challenges encountered by farmers.

 

An irrigated agricultural flower meadow in Westbury, Tasmania. Foto von Kshithij Chandrashekar auf Unsplash.

Citation:

 

Tacconi, F.; Lefroy, D.; Waha, K.; Ojeda, J. J.; Leith, P.; Mohammed, C. “Agricultural diversity, farmers’ definitions and uses: The case of Tasmanian farms”. Journal of Rural Studies 2024, 108, 103266.

 

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Prof. Dr. Katharina Waha
Professor for Climate Resilience of human made ecosystems
Centre for Climate Resilience

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Story Highlights:

  • A wide range of specific definitions, approaches and uses for agricultural diversification strategies were identified.
  • Farmers define diversity by the number of activities and enterprises adopted, or by values and outcomes associated with it.
  • Agricultural diversification can be a viable and sometimes necessary strategy also in high-income countries.
  • Financing opportunities, information, skills and labour availability have emerged as important incentives for diversification.

WHAT FARMERS THEMSELVES UNDERSTAND BY DIVERSITY AND DIVERSIFICATION

Due to its climatic and geographical diversity, Tasmania is one of the most agriculturally diverse regions in Australia. It is therefore ideally suited as a research area for investigating the advantages and disadvantages of diversification. The study therefore addressed not only the important research questions of how farmers define agricultural diversity and diversification, but also how farms utilise diversification as a business strategy. To this end, telephone interviews were conducted with 95 farmers across Tasmania. The interviews were qualitatively analysed using a thematic analysis. The results show that farmers' personal attitudes and motivations towards agricultural diversity vary according to their personal experiences and values. In addition, the respective farming background plays a role, as well as the type of diversification, i.e. the context in which they operate.
 
"This study shows different ways in which farmers use diversification and how it leads to benefits for their farming business." 
Katharina Waha, co-author and researcher at the CCR
 
Participants defined agricultural diversity either by the number and type of activities or linked it to a set of values or outcomes. Four main characteristics of how farmers embrace or reject diversification strategies were identified. Farmers who embrace diversification (1) see it as an integral part of their farm, (2) see it as an additional business opportunity, or (3) pursue diversification for motives beyond financial values. 
The latter group of participants emphasized improving the environmental and social sustainability of their farms and potential benefits for the surrounding landscape. They highlighted the ethical value of agricultural diversity and described their diversification practices as an essential part of their farming approach:
 
“Well, it underpins everything because from what we’ve learned, Mother Nature in those systems requires diversity. So, so, like, literally from the soil microbiology to the livestock, that underpins absolutely everything in what we do”,
said one participant in the survey, emphasising the ethical value of diversification.
 
On the other hand, there were those who rejected diversification, which was often associated with a negative perception of agricultural diversity. The primary focus on one main line of business was prevalent:
 
“We’re running a fairly big business. We sort of think that we need to stay where our skill set is”,
said a participant who specializes in dairy cattle farming.

Related Articles:

Tacconi, F.; Waha, K.; Ojeda, J. J.; Leith, P. Drivers and constraints of on-farm diversity. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 2022, 42 (1), 2.

Ramankutty, N.; Mehrabi, Z.; Waha, K.; Jarvis, L.; Kremen, C.; Herrero, M.; Rieseberg, L. H. Trends in Global Agricultural Land Use: Implications for Environmental Health and Food Security. Annual Review of Plant Biology 2018, 69 (Volume 69, 2018).

INCENTIVES AND BARRIERS TO GREATER AGRICULTURAL DIVERSITY

When asked about their intentions to increase agricultural diversity in the future, only twenty of the participants responded that they planned to increase the diversity of their operations by introducing new crop or animal varieties in the next five years. One of the reasons for this is that, in Australia as elsewhere, farmers are often unable to take financial risks without government support. However, according to the farmers surveyed, funding in Australia is geared too heavily towards large companies. The creation of alternative market options would also encourage many farmers to diversify their operations. 
It must be borne in mind that every business must be able to operate profitably in order to survive, whether it is a question of economic advantages or sustainable action.

 

"So diversification is a great thing, as long as it pays off and is worth the extra effort",
said one participant in the survey, for whom the effort involved in diversification became too much at some point.

Worth knowing

Agricultural plurality through diversification. AI-generated image
Agricultural diversification encompasses a colourful spectrum of income opportunities for farms. This includes forms of additional income that are closely orientated to the previous form of farming, such as energy production, as well as direct marketing on the farm or at farmers' markets. Some of the diversifications promote the relationship between society and agriculture in a positive way, such as farm holidays or farm-to-fork gastronomy, which bring agriculture closer to people. Today, modern farms are also realising adventure or social offers. 
For the farmers themselves, there are many good arguments in favour of diversification in agriculture. Many of the offers create additional jobs. Agriculture today not only contributes to food security; farmers are also concerned about sustainability such as water protection, animal welfare and social aspects. At the end of the day, however, a good life and sufficient income also counts for people in agriculture. Investments and restructuring measures have to pay off at some point. At the end this can reduce even the entrepreneurial risk for the farmer, as they can spread the added value across several mainstays. This is the only way in which sustainable diversification projects can be implemented by the farmers themselves or in close cooperation with them.

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