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Evaluating the role of extension in helping to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef

Wegscheidl, C., Trendell, P. and Coutts, J. (2015) Evaluating the role of extension in helping to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef. Rural Extension and Innovation Systems Journal, 11 (1). p. 1.

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Article Link: http://www.apen.org.au/reis-vol-11-no-1

Abstract

From 2012-2014 the Queensland Government delivered an extension project to help sugarcane growers adopt best management practices to reduce pollutant loss to the Great Barrier Reef. Coutts J&R were engaged to measure progress towards the project's engagement, capacity gain and practice change targets. The monitoring and evaluation program comprised a database, post-workshop evaluations and grower and advisor surveys. Coutts J&R conducted an independent phone survey with 97 growers, a subset of the 900 growers engaged in extension activities. Of those surveyed 64% stated they had made practice changes. There was higher (74%) adoption by growers engaged in one-on-one extension than those growers only involved in group-based activities (36%). Overall, the project reported 41% (+/-10%, 95% confidence) of growers engaged made a practice change. The structured monitoring and evaluation program, including independent surveys, was essential to quantify practice change and demonstrate the effectiveness of extension in contributing to water quality improvement.

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Agriculture
Subjects:Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Agricultural chemistry. Agricultural chemicals
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Conservation of natural resources
Aquaculture and Fisheries > Fisheries > By region or country > Australia > Great Barrier Reef
Live Archive:02 Feb 2016 02:32
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:50

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