Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

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Summary

The non English speaking background (NESB) migrant presence in Australia’s rural areas has historically been in clusters of language groups typically located near intensive agricultural industries such as irrigated horticulture. They initially find employment as farm labourers and gradually progress through a series of steps to land ownership.

The majority of Australian grown Asian vegetables and increasing amounts of western vegetables are grown by Asian NESB growers who are located close to all capital cities. Vegetable production is labour intensive and with 78 different Asian vegetables available in retail outlets each of which has its own production requirements, growers need to access information on the best production practices and markets. In Darwin, Northern Territory, 98% of vegetable growers are from Asian backgrounds.

NESB growers are disadvantaged in accessing information, resources and services they need for improving their farm business and increasing profitability. They are disadvantaged mainly because of the language barriers that make it difficult to communicate their requirements to the information providers. Language difficulty includes communication, reading and writing and the degree of difficulty varies with individuals.

The language barrier increases when technical information is required which makes it difficult for example, when reading chemical labels which carry a range of complicated information essential for correct and safe chemical use. Similarly, requirements associated with occupational health and safety need to be understood and complied with. In addition there are issues of mistrust and a lack of understanding of cultural differences between the NESB growers and the mainly English speaking information providers, buyers, market agents, transport providers and agricultural input providers. As well the human dynamics of “it is too difficult to try and understand” is often present.

This project proposed a simple model for improving extension and communication with NESB growers to lead to adoption of best production practice. The model was to employ a person, to be called a Communications Officer (CO), who spoke the same language as the growers, as well as English. It was proposed that speaking the same language would eventually lead to two way communication and improved extension delivery between the growers and the information providers.

The aim was to facilitate the smooth integration of the current generation of NESB growers in Darwin, into mainstream growing.

The project Developing an effective extension strategy for the Sydney Basin, also funded by RIRDC, was finishing as this project was starting. It had addressed the complex area of effective extension methods with NESB market gardeners (growers) in Sydney Basin. It was decided that as the “speaking my language” project had a limited time frame we would concentrate on improving communication and providing information that growers requested. In this respect the extension part of the project was access to verbal, written and visual information.

The steps to this were continual communication between the CO and the growers, identification of the growers’ production issues and provision of information that growers wanted and needed. It was proposed that this would lead to the development of a relationship with the growers based on mutual respect and trust and development of this grower group to the stage where they could determine and access what assistance they required.

Chapter 3 describes the methodology used in the project including a definition of the NESB grower group. It discuses the terminology used in the project and to describe the grower group. It points out that grouping does not take into account many differences which may exist within the group. It itemises activities that were to be undertaken throughout the project in particular the focus on communication and plans for project evaluation.  There were 60 Asian vegetable growers in Darwin when the project started and 93% were Vietnamese. This did not change significantly during the project and all growers were included in the project activities. Grower skills were assessed and this identified that they needed to improve agronomic practices, pest and disease identification and control methods, chemical use and handling and market understanding. All growers wanted to receive information from the project and all were agreeable to communicating with the CO.

Improved communication, by communicating in the main language of the growers, in this case Vietnamese was the aim of this project and in Chapter 4 communication activities with the growers and their wider activity are documented.

To understand the grower community and plan for future development, the growers were asked why they chose to grow vegetables. Their answers fitted into five categories; previous experience, language problem for other jobs, income to support family, Darwin area suitable for vegetable production with cheap land and family and friends, life style as own boss.

Early in the project the need for leadership development was addressed by encouraging the formation of a grower association. The NT Asian Vegetable Growers Association was formed and 66% of growers are members. The association has been successful working with the CO in addressing a number of major issues particularly with regard to interstate markets. Various activities have been undertaken to develop the association and these will continue.

Simultaneously, the whole Asian NESB community has been engaged in a number of activities to build community relationships with government agencies, identify community leaders and gain community acceptance of the importance of government requirements in the areas of food safety and occupational health and safety.

Growers have had the opportunity to participate in visits to interstate markets to see their produce at arrival and speak to agents, buyers and other NESB growers at each location. On return the CO presented the groups findings to all growers and a number of checks have been put in place to improve market returns. The CO now coordinates the receival of out-turn reports from market agents, explains the problem to the grower and can negotiate for them if required.

Grower issues and needs as communicated individually or as a group to the CO were recorded, discussed, prioritised and addressed mainly by providing information in a number of ways.

Information delivery undertaken as part of the communication activities are described in detail in Chapter 5. CO contact with growers on their farms, by telephone, fax or in her office were continual and increased during the project. Technical information was delivered in “packages” which used all means of communication available. This included written information in Vietnamese and English and was faxed to growers, articles in grower magazines in both languages and spoken and visual information delivered at farm visits, field days, workshops and meetings.

The data collected to evaluate whether the project has been successful or not is presented in Chapter 6. Grower skills changed dramatically over the period June 2000 to June 2002 particularly in agronomic practices and safe chemical use. Eighty nine percent of growers had Chemcert accreditation and keep chemicals in a locked storage facility. Food safety accreditation is not a high priority for the growers at present, as their customers do not require it.

Growers replied positively to questions on whether the information the CO provided them had changed their farm practices, the importance of CO speaking Vietnamese and whether the CO had helped the Asian vegetable industry in some way. Similarly, information providers reported that communication had been greatly improved with the appointment of a Vietnamese speaking CO.

In the final chapter the projects achievements are discussed and in particular, the issues of whether the success of the project has been due to the CO speaking the same language as the growers or the CO herself. The CO is a vegetable producer and has had experience working for a government department and can therefore see issues from a grower and government perspective. This has also been important for relationship building which has led to the growers and the information providers both trusting the CO to access and provide the right information for their needs.

Overcoming the language barrier was an important factor in improving farmer practice as was the practice of presenting information in a number of ways such as on farm visits, as short written information sheets, at field days and meetings. The importance of over coming language barriers farm visits to this grower group is discussed.

Farming practices changed rapidly in a relatively short time, which was not expected when the project started. The concept that this occurred because the growers identified the issues they needed help with is discussed. Practices which government wanted to change, but in reality did not change greatly during the life of the project were related to the fact that their customers had not requested them.

Appointing a CO who spoke the same language as the growers has been shown to be successful for accessing and communicating information and has led to improved sustainability of vegetable production. Government agencies in the Northern Territory in particular the Department of Business, Industry and Resources Development (DBIRD) have reported an improved capacity to work with vegetable industry and believe this is due primarily to breakdown of the language barrier and a growing feeling of mutual respect and trust.

The project hypothesis was that the benefits of specific communication with NESB growers and achievement of the project outcomes would lead to: increased adoption of best practice management production leading to meeting QA requirements, safer produce for consumers, increased sales in the domestic and export markets of safe, quality products, growers and suppliers benefiting economically and socially, less isolated communities. All of these measures of achieving the project outcomes have been met and are discussed in some detail.

The project has also shown that by giving growers the opportunity as individuals and as a group to identify and prioritise their production issues they come with issues which not only solve their immediate problems but deliver environmental, social and economic outcomes that comply with government goals.

This project has also been active in obtaining funds for the appointment of a vegetable industry development officer (IDO) for the NT, to continue the work that the CO has so successfully undertaken.
 

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Last updated: 7 May 2003
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http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/AFO/03-034sum.html