Addressing cultural and language barriers to communication with ethnic farmers in Goulburn valley
1996
Cumming, B. (Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Shepparton (Australia)) | Cengiz, E. | Mitsos, V.
Two major projects; the Ethnic Access Salinity Project and the Ethnic Farm Chemical Project were developed to deal with the complexities of farmers from a diverse and complex range of background in Northern Victoria. The projects use a "Philosophy of Inclusion" so that landholders are actively involved in policy development, decisions and activities using appropriate inclusive communication methods. The work is aimed at effectively using technology and management, to deal with land management issues. The aim of the project is for the communities of landholders to have true ownership of the decisions affecting them, and empowerment to take control. The projects use various communication methods to enhance the uptake of sustainable agriculture management techniques including awareness campaigns and a major survey into cultural barriers to communication. The survey also allowed a network of interpreters to be developed and local ownership of the projects. The project outcomes rely on the development of a shared approach between various government agencies, farmers, the Ethnic Council, farmer organisations, councils, corporations and community groups using a joint steering committee. Achievements include setting up of several small Neighbourhood Action Groups, resource development including simplification of English language material, translation of written materials into appropriate languages, using voluntary interpreters, and a multi-lingual video to help deal with low literacy and technical skills
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