Open AccessBuilding rural capability through collaboration of Maori farm businesses
Author(s) -
Toni White,
G. W. Sheath
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
proceedings of the new zealand grassland association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1179-4577
pISSN - 0369-3902
DOI - 10.33584/jnzg.2011.73.2844
Subject(s) - productivity , experiential learning , business , profitability index , social capital , knowledge management , marketing , economic growth , psychology , sociology , finance , economics , social science , mathematics education , computer science
Focused group projects engaging owners and managers of Maori farm businesses were initiated on the East Coast of New Zealand. The objective was to improve productivity and profitability on-farm through enhanced capability building and collaboration. Five group projects were evaluated. Critical success factors of learning groups were identified. Leadership, communication, organisation and commitment were required from project participants and facilitators. Collaborative and interactive processes built the knowledge and confidence of farm managers. Building trust was critical. Participation of mentor farmers reinforced learning in the group. Social network building was also important. We conclude that interactive group projects are a powerful way of building confidence of farm managers to communicate issues and make clearer, more strategically aligned decisions and actions. Collaborative farm initiatives foster ownership of issues, develop farmer support networks and ultimately the confidence to change. Keywords: experiential learning, farmer group, trust.