The 'Sow what?' project: Connecting farmers and policy makers on climate change

Farmers are under increased pressure to adopt new practices concerning climate change and sustainability. There is a need for effective communication and inclusive policy development, particularly in the context of escalating global climate change challenges, emerges as critical. The ‘Sow What?’ project, led by the Agri-Mental Health Group in University College Dublin, seeks to understand the demands and opportunities within the farming context in Ireland, and to facilitate stronger communication between farmers, agricultural advisors, and policymakers on issues surrounding climate change. Through a scoping review undertaken to map the literature on with motivational perspectives of agricultural stakeholders in relation to climate change, high heterogeneity among viewpoints of farmers on climate change issues was highlighted, despite farmers showing low prioritisation of climate adaptation in their work. The major barrier to climate adaption for farmers was being under-resourced, despite general disinterest in financial incentives. Through a nationwide survey, a wide range of motivators relating to adaptation were noted alongside data highlighting potential behaviour change intervention types. Through a series of focus groups and interviews with agricultural stakeholders, data from this research highlighted differences between the experiences and perspectives of Irish farmers, and the perceptions and expectations of policymakers. Research across these projects has sought to identify whether practices employing Motivational Interviewing techniques could be adapted for advisors and policymakers to help promote climate sustainability practices and address policy ambivalence among farmers. This project is now focusing on the production of toolkits for delivery by agricultural advisors to farmers to aid in dilemma resolution, as well as toolkits for policymakers and industry figures to provide evidence-based communication to farmers. Efforts to produce these toolkits for the facilitation of behaviour change for climate adaptation will be detailed.