The role of information in land-use decision making: the perspective of farmers in New Zealand

Information is important to support effective strategic land-use decision-making, particularly in response to changing markets, policy and climate. This research plays a part in understanding how farmers interact with information in the digital age, which is important to inform effective approaches to information provision.

A literature review and qualitative research methods were conducted to investigate the perspectives of New Zealand farmers. This included twenty-two semi-structured interviews and a focus group.

Farmer information-gathering and knowledge-sharing habits follow different patterns in the digital age. Farmers utilise a range of information sources and there have been shifts toward evolving channels that are digital and interpersonal. This has brought challenges associated with information overload and misinformation. To communicate effectively, Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) need to adapt and value local knowledge.

The results indicate that the role of information in land-use decision-making is personal, contextual, and unique for each farm system.

Farmers feel that information to support strategic land-use decision-making is challenging to source and lacking in availability, especially concerning regional contexts.