Farmer consultations on soil compaction - their implications for extension and research [Queensland]
1993
Mortiss, P. (South Pacific Univ., Alafua (Samoa)) | McGarry, D. (Queensland Dept. of Primary Industries, Indooroopilly (Australia). Natural Resource Management)
A series of six consultations on soil compaction was conducted in 1989 and 1990 with farmers in 3 major agricultural areas of Queensland: Goondiwindi, Dalby and the Central Highlands. Each consultation, conducted by a scientist and an extension specialist, consisted of three steps: a meeting in which a rapid appraisal of district problems was made, a visit to each farmer's property for individual discussion and a group tour of each district to inspect interesting areas of soil compaction. Although it is difficult to determine if farmers have altered practices as a result of the consultations, they have been successful in prompting farmers to define research needs. The consultation process was effected without any compaction trial work being conducted in any of the three districts. It is argued that it is more rational both in human and resource terms to involve farmers in decisions on applied research rather than to use the traditional method of taking technology through a sequence of steps from basic research to district trials and then to extension.
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