South West Catchments Council is implementing a 4-year project with farmers to improve crop pollination in canola, avocados and orchards (apples, stone fruit).
If you farm one or more of these crops, and would like to take part in the project, please email Mike Christensen: mike.christensen@swccnrm.org.au, and SWCC will start the process with a phone interview. Alternatively, you can do an online survey here.
Information about the program:
For those able to participate in a phone interview we will be giving you a $30 voucher to a rural supplier near you. The “Managing vegetation on farm targeting pollinators and farm resilience” is a five-year project funded by the Australian Government under the National Landcare Program that works with farmers to improve the pollination services provided by beneficial insects and other pollinators through revegetation programs with perennials and/or native vegetation that enhances food availability for these pollinators and indirectly improves the pollination and biodiversity services provided. This targets revegetation to improve both biodiversity and pollination services, ensuring the farm is more resilient and can better withstand the impacts of a changing climate.
We are working with three canola producers and three orchardists, predominantly avocado growers, throughout the life of the project. As part of that project, we need to conduct baseline surveys to gauge to what extent farmers understand the roles of pollinators and beneficial insects in their crops, as well as their attitudes towards remnant vegetation, revegetation and their perceived benefits/risks. Project activities will then be implemented to address any identified issues