Irrigation decision making and innovation report
The project looked to understand the multiple and intersecting factors that inform irrigation decision-making and innovation in practice across the Sunraysia Mallee region.
Project title:
Irrigation decision making and innovation report
Research information & objectives:
The project looked to understand the multiple and intersecting factors that inform irrigation decision-making and innovation in practice across the Sunraysia Mallee region.
Through interviews with growers, irrigation managers, advocates, peak bodies and innovation specialists, the project aimed to:
- Systematically document existing irrigation and innovation practices
- Explore factors in irrigation and innovation decision-making
- Detail processes and perceptions of innovations and adaptations
- Interrogate challenges associated with irrigation and innovation practices
- Investigate perceptions of irrigation futures as they relate to socio-political and socioecological factors
- Extend and update existing knowledge about irrigation decision-making.
The project also sought to capture perceptions of climate variability and historical, current and anticipated variability that impacts behaviours, adaptation and resilience strategies.
This report was produced for the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre. It is an extension of research conducted as part of the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub cross-hub project Modern Drought Management for the Health and Longevity of Perennial Horticulture Plants.
Project funding:
Future Drought Fund
Project collaborators:
Mallee Regional Innovation Centre and La Trobe University
Status:
Completed (June 2024)
Project leads:
Dr Natalie Araújo
Lecturer in Anthropology and Sustainability and Development, La Trobe University
n.araujo@latrobe.edu.au
Hannah McCole
PhD candidate in Social Inquiry at La Trobe University.
h.mccole@latrobe.edu.au
Resources
Irrigation Decision Making and Innovation Report - June 2024
Increased climate variation has had and will continue to have significant impact on the economic, environmental, and socio-cultural sustainability of perennial horticulture in Australia. To address the challenges, growers must make complex decisions about how to manage water resources and when and how to invest in technological innovations to support their horticulture goals.
Case study 1 - Irrigation futures and water availability
Mallee growers are at the forefront of water efficiency but issues of water availability continue to be challenging.
Case study 2 - Knowledge sharing through demonstration and engagement
The need for sustained opportunities to view, interact with and receive feedback about irrigation support technologies emerged as a consistent theme.
Case study 3 - Skills and labour management
The challenge of promoting essential skills development in horticulture businesses is compounded by a range of labour management issues.