Perspective of U.S. Farmers on Collaborative On-Farm Research

Abstract

Farmers worldwide increasingly emphasize improving agricultural practices to enhance sustainability and build resilience in the face of various environmental and production challenges. In this scenario, on-farm research is gaining traction as a participatory approach involving farmers and stakeholders in knowledge development and technology and innovation transfer across farms. However, despite the enthusiasm for the concept of on-farm research within the agricultural community, there are still uncertainties regarding farmers’ willingness to collaborate.

Researchers from several U.S. universities surveyed farmers across the U.S. Midwest and South-Central regions, revealing that they are generally open to collaborating with universities for on-farm research. The findings suggest that farmers are 40% more likely to adopt practices backed by on-farm research compared with those not conducted on the farm. Their primary motivators for engaging in on-farm research were productivity and profitability.

These insights have implications for fostering collaborations, addressing constraints, and maximizing the impact of on-farm research. They offer guidance for sustainable agriculture progress and policy and initiatives promoting on-farm research.