CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL GROWERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR IMPROVED ON-FARM WATER MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Abstract Climate change challenges agricultural production in Eastern Canada by affecting water resource availability. Farmers' adoption of improved water management practices and technologies can play an important part in the region's climate change adaptation strategy. To facilitate the diffusion of agricultural beneficial management practices (BMPs), it is essential to examine the factors that influence farmers' decision-making, and the barriers and facilitators of adoption. While determinants of adoption have been studied extensively, past research suggests that they are context dependent and that a gap exists in relation to understanding how BMP characteristics are perceived and how they shape adoption. Therefore, this article identifies some of the key factors in the adoption of improved water management systems in Ontario and Quebec by focusing on differences between adopters and non-adopters. This study uses data from a survey of 70 fruit and vegetable growers. Results show that Canadian growers find important being good stewards of the land – being interested in minimizing their farms' impact on the environment and making good use of scarce resources. Farmers also believe society should help support the costs associated with safeguarding the environment. Growers interested in adopting the BMPs were likely to have less farming experience, diverse farming goals, higher educational attainment, and a higher degree of specialization in the production of tomatoes, cranberries or onions. While the majority of growers perceived the BMPs to be profitable, a better alternative and having capacity to reduce water use and improve yields, growers not interested in adopting these BMPs identified several issues that in their view act as barriers – initial cost of investment, and market instability. Policy responses aimed at enhancing diffusion of the BMPs, can be better targeted on priority regions and growers, incorporating in their communication strategy messages that resonate with growers' needs and take note of concerns they raise.