Resilience in agriculture – what does it actually mean? By John Gladigau

By: "Farm Tender" News
US & World News
Jul 26, 2019
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This article is bought to you by Bruce Robertson Transport.

By John Gladigau - Executive Director at Bulla Burra Operations Pty Ltd.

If I look up the word RESILIENCE in the dictionary, it talks about the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, and knowing how to cope in spite of setbacks, barriers or limited resources. It is a measure of how much you are willing and able to overcome obstacles to get a desired result.

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Resilience is one of the new buzz words in agriculture. At the national drought summit in Canberra last November, the two re occurring themes were mental health and resilience. Funds announced by both the NSW and federal governments in the past few weeks have been based on building long term resilience in agriculture.

But how do you do that? Is it just about governments throwing more money at agriculture? Is it about policy levers which politicians and industry leaders create to push and pull to create the desired result? Is it about driving change to more environmentally sustainable farming practices by using a big stick? Or maybe a big carrot?

I don’t think you can legislate resilience. I believe it is something which comes from within. It comes through from a life of experience, from being knocked down and getting back up again. It is built on reflecting on the journey from the view at the mountain top, knowing full well the winding and challenging path below. And it is being able to visualise the top of the mountain and the glass of wine you plan to enjoy with friends and family when you get there while scaping over the rocks and slipping into the crevices on the way through.

So, when governments and industry talk about creating resilience – how can they do that.

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For me, resilience needs to be driven from the grass roots up rather than the top down. Farmers are the ultimate risk managers. We live and breathe it every day. We are having to manage huge financial inputs and the vagaries of the climate from not enough rain to too much, from frost to heat stress – with hail and wind thrown in for good measure. It is by understanding the capabilities of our soils and the climate in which we live that we manage around it. It is by the adaptation of technology, the understanding of science and the ability to make considered managerial decisions based on education and experience that we prosper or fail.

Resilience cannot be led by governments and industry. Resilience needs to be driven by those with skin in the game, and supported by those with the ability to finance, legislate and advocate – for the benefit of all.

There is a lot of talk in Australia about the development of initiatives and products which provide income protection and incentivise famers to manage their own risk. We support this, but in order to be successful, grass roots farmers need to not only be involved but be the drivers of change. Grass roots farmers are already leading the way in adapting to a changing climate. Leading farmers have for some time been advocating for the need to collect quality on farm data which can verify farm management practices which can allow for the creation of new and innovative risk management products. Farmers generally understand what their risks are, which ones they have the ability to manage, and which ones are out of their control. Many are frustrated that when considering insurance and risk management products that their individual management skills are not always recognised, and good on farm risk behaviours are not often rewarded.

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When governments and industry talk about creating resilience in the agricultural sector, the starting point needs to be listening to and valuing the skills and life experiences of farmers themselves. It cannot be a top down approach. If we really want farmers to be more resilient and self sustaining, the discussion needs to be driven by the farming community. And for this to happen, farmers need to be recognised, valued and given the opportunity to lead the process.

Because resilience comes from within. Resilience cannot exist without hope. And it is hope which drives our passions.