Understanding Adoption of On-farm Conservation Practices in the Burdekin Dry Tropics, Queensland

Abstract

This article is concerned with the capacity and willingness of cattle producers in the Australian dry tropics to adopt management practices for biodiversity conservation. It explores why landholders adopt or reject these practices using empirical research into the socio-economic status; the extent of adoption; perceived impediments to adoption; and landholder preferences and attitudes towards different natural resource management policies. Economic theory suggests that the extent of on-farm conservation will be less than socially desirable because a wider set of benefits accrue to society while landholders bear the costs. Using a socioeconomic perspective of on-farm conservation practices, the authors identify key issues for policy development aimed at increasing adoption.