Can’t spray our way out of resistance

Industry has recognised and is addressing an advisory system bias impacting on how crop protection knowledge is extended to growers, New Zealand’s largest farm supplier says.

Photo: PGW

The structure of NZ’s crop advisory system, with its strong links to commercial companies, helps shape what advice is delivered, and which types of knowledge are prioritised.

That’s according to research undertaken for A Lighter Touch by extension experts Scarlatti.

This was a recurring theme in data obtained from 51 survey respondents and two focus groups involving people working in crop protection extension in NZ.

PGG Wrightson technical team manager Milton Munro says the industry is aware of this bias towards product-based solutions and is working to address it.

PGW technical team manager Milton Munro.
Credit: Mark Tantrum

PGW, for example, has worked with Primary ITO to develop an independent qualification for agronomists working in the horticulture sector, recognising they make critical decisions that determine crop success.

Internationally agronomists must hold a recognised qualification but no such requirement exists in NZ.

“We’re training our people to take a more holistic approach to crop protection, because we recognise there needs to be a fundamental change in the industry,” Munro says.

“Resistance is a critical crop protection issue where we are going to see the rubber hit the road. The only way we are going to manage resistance is to embrace all of the tools available to growers.

“We need chemical control, biological control, cultural control. And we need to create a training pathway to support that approach, not just spraying our way out of the problem.”

Data from the survey of those working in extension, along with two focus group discussions, showed most advisors felt they have the time and basic resources to carry out their roles.

However, many product groups have limited capacity to plan and deliver extension activities, revealing a systemic gap in the ability to extend new biological products to growers.

In addition, significant capability gaps exist — particularly in behavioural change, facilitation, and systems thinking.

Many advisors reported learning extension skills on the job, with limited access to formal training or peer-learning opportunities.

In discussing the commercial bias in the structure of advisory services, respondents acknowledged there are some independent crop protection advisors in the industry.

However, most are employed by companies that sell fertilisers, agrichemicals, or other inputs.

Although this model supports access to technical information, it also creates a bias toward product-based solutions.

“Ultimately, there is a misalignment between the commercial drivers of the current advisory model and the long-term goals of agroecological transition,” the Scarlatti report says.

“Even when scientific evidence supports a non-commercial solution, it may struggle to gain traction if it falls outside the remit of what an advisor is expected or resourced to deliver.

“As a result, the system may be reinforcing the status quo and slowing the uptake of more sustainable practices.”

“Focus group participants described this as a major challenge, particularly for approaches that require systems thinking, long-term planning, or collective action — areas that commercial advisory models are not typically set up to support,” the report found.

Succession planning was another concern, with many current advisors nearing retirement, and few structured entry pathways for those new to advisory and extension roles.

The demographics of respondents (82 per cent were at an advanced stage of their career) prompted focus group discussion on whether the sector was facing a generational gap.

There was broad agreement that fewer younger professionals are entering advisory roles.

Systemic challenges exist in attracting and retaining an extension workforce, with a fundamental issue being the lack of clear, structured training options for advisors and extension professionals in NZ.

Many advisors in the focus groups brought up examples from other countries where there are clearer training pathways, such as Ireland and the United States.

The absence of similar pathways in NZ possibly contributes to the gaps in capability identified, in terms of extension-specific skills, the report found.