Growers are invited to give their views on the benefits of integrating biodiversity into the farm system, and the barriers to doing so, as part of an A Lighter Touch survey.
The purpose of the survey is to better understand biodiversity-enhancing and sustainable crop protection practices in horticulture, the benefits growers associate with these practices, and the factors that may influence whether growers adopt or expand them in future.
For the purposes of the survey, activities that support higher levels of biodiversity are defined as flower strips, inter-row vegetation, cover crops, shelterbelts, buffer plantings, reduced broad-spectrum insecticide use, selective spraying, monitoring-based pest decisions, reduced soil disturbance, or other practices that support beneficial insects, soil health, water quality, or production resilience.
An example of a cover crop.
Data collected will help to inform the work of the A Lighter Touch biodiversity economics project, due for completion before ALT ends in March 2027. The project focuses on finding out the commercial implications of investing in biodiversity initiatives on orchards and farms, through a cost/benefits analysis.
Its aim is to create a model that has the potential to be adapted for use across crops, production systems and regions. The model will allow any grower investigating the economic impact of a biodiversity investment to get answers based on their specific situation.
The survey will take about 10 minutes and is being conducted by the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce at Lincoln University. Complete the survey here. The survey closes on June 7.
