Strategies to encourage adoption: a case study of New Zealand
farmers and their possum control practices
T.G. PARMINTER AND J.A. WILSON
AgSystems, AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Private Bag
3123, Hamilton, New Zealand
E-Mail:
NZSAP 2003 Abstract No. 17
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production
63: 66-68
Ecological scientists and policy agencies have identified
possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) as a pest of both biodiversity
and agricultural production. However it has been unclear whether farmers
would take action to control possums for biodiversity reasons if their
potential threat to agriculture was reduced. In 2002 a survey was made
of New Zealand livestock farmers, of whom 85% had control measures in
place. From the data, a regression model was developed for predicting
farmers’ intentions to control possum numbers. The model had a squared
multiple regression co-efficient of 62%. The individual regression
co-efficients all had F probabilities <0.001. It is apparent that
possum control on farms is mainly undertaken to reduce the threat of
bovine tuberculosis (Tb) in cattle. Farmers are also more likely to take
steps to control possum numbers when they consider it will reduce
pasture damage, contribute to an overall reduction in farm pests, and
reduce damage to their fruit trees and gardens. Control is discouraged
by risks of poisoning farm dogs and high costs. Policy agencies will
need to work with scientists to provide the information landowners need
to encourage their greater commitment to possum control even when the Tb
threat has been reduced.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
adoption; possum; attitudes; Theory of Reasoned Action
Last Updated 8/07/2004
