Information networks in Dutch agriculture: An analysis of the role of information in facilitating the adoption of ‘nature-inclusive’ agriculture

Abstract

This study explores how the lack of NIA adoption is affected by how Dutch farmers gather, interact with, and apply information, as it is influenced by their subjective evaluation. Therefore, the research objective is to gain insight into the various types of information sources within a farmers’ network that either enable or hinder the transition to NIA. This is achieved by developing a social network analysis that captures the interaction with available sources by farmers. Transition theory of Gosnell et al. (2019) is utilized to analyze how these information sources can either facilitate or hinder the shift to NIA, combined with social identity theory.

A case study is conducted with seventeen farmer interviews in the south-west of the Netherlands. The findings highlight the significance of farmers’ identification with information sources, particularly when those sources align with their farm and business characteristics, as well as their value orientations, and differ from strong, one-dimensional nature-oriented approaches. Results mainly highlight the importance of bidirectional information exchange in evaluating information as trustworthy or relevant. Acknowledging the multifaceted ‘farmer’s identity and considering relevant business attributes can enhance the effectiveness and acceptance of information dissemination within the agricultural context. Such insights contribute to a deeper understanding of how information exchange influences decision-making processes among farmers, and they can be used to guide efforts to disseminate information within the mode of public-private partnerships.