CeRDI Researchers examine Resilience in Farming and Agribusiness
21 October 2014
Researchers at Federation University’s (Federation University) Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) have recently prepared a report examining Resilience Building in Farming and Agribusiness for the Wimmera. The report was commissioned by West Wimmera Shire Council with funding from the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) through the Victorian Adaption and Sustainability Partnerships (VASP).
Prepared by Dr Peter Dahlhaus, Dr Helen Thompson, Kirsten McKenna, and Rob Milne the report presents a review of national and international literature and gap analysis consolidating information and practices relating to climate change and how this is received and utilised by farmers and agribusiness.
The review included 150 sources of information from international peer-reviewed academic journals, conference papers, published and unpublished reports and websites thus capturing a breadth of scholarly research, grey literature, government and industry reports outlining some of the social, economic and environmental factors impacting on the agriculture industry in the face of climate change.
In September, Federation University researchers travelled to Horsham to present the findings of the report to the project steering committee, which included representatives from key organisations in the Wimmera including Robyn Evans from West Wimmera Shire Council and Jo Bourke, Wimmera Development Association.
In commenting on the work prepared by CeRDI and Federation University Ms Bourke stated that the report provides “foundational information to enable stronger regional networks to be built that promote climate adaptation information and case studies in the agriculture sector”. Furthermore, Ms Bourke stated that the “regionally specific research identified in this report provides direction in engaging with established agricultural networks to raising awareness and responses to climate change and its impacts on agriculture. Federation University is a valuable regional resource and an important partner in these discussions.”
The report prepared by Federation University supports the first, formative stages of the VASP project which also includes an examination of the opportunities for building resilience in farming communities and agri-business, and piloting some of these opportunities as they are implemented into practice.
A copy of the report is available here.