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Report: Local solutions, info and incentives crucial for water quality

Mitigating the impact of agriculture on water quality requires developing local solutions, information and incentives, according to a new report. The WaterMARKE project investigated how the use of research and knowledge exchange can achieve greater uptake of farm level water quality measures. The research was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The project involved economic, psychology and scientific researchers from Teagasc and the University of Galway. Water quality According to the report, the primary pressures on water quality in Ireland from agriculture are nutrient, sediment and pesticide losses to water. Nutrients such as nitrogen (N) can leach downwards through light soils to groundwater, while phosphorus and sediment can be lost through overland flow on heavy/peat soils. The report noted that while the biological mechanisms of loss are 'complex and site specific', farm mitigation measures may be less technologically complex but could involve new practices. The researchers used a 'systems approach' which included analysing incentives that influence farm practices that have an impact on water quality. They also carried out an economic analyses of the factors impacting adoption of water quality mitigation measures by farmers, and social and behavioural psychology studies to identify pro-environmental behavioural interventions. The report found that mitigating the impact of agriculture on water quality requires the following: Developing local solutions and information and incentives; Taking an innovation system approach to the problem solution; Changing the behaviour of farmers, which may involve changing the behaviour of others upstream within the innovation system, requiring an examination of their incentives and motivations; Providing local information to facilitate local decisions. Dr Mary Ryan, WaterMARKE project coordinator, said the researchers working closely with the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) to investigate how farmers and advisors engage with water quality improvement measures. She highlighted the 'considerable growth in collaboration and innovation' across all agencies, communities and farmers in actively engaging in water quality improvement. Dr Ryan said that this is exemplified by the level of participation in initiatives such as the Farming for Water European Innovation Programme (EIP). Research The WaterMARKE project found that improving local environmental issues requires localised activity data and an understanding of nutrient loss pathways. This involves local information from programs like the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and the EPA Catchments Unit. This data combined with research and knowledge exchange would help implement the 'right measure, right place, right time' approach. While farmers are generally motivated to improve water quality, the researchers noted that they need support in terms of knowledge and resources. The report found that farmers and advisors face knowledge and technical challenges, as well as administrative burdens. Interviews showed that advisors require enhanced supports to 'prioritise pro-environmental water quality advice'. Farmers with a strong drive to adopt specific measures believe they have the capacity to undertake it, believe others would approve, and live in areas where others have implemented the measure. Other factors that lead to greater adoption include large farm size, previous participation in agri-environmental schemes, having a point source pollution issue, engagement with advisors, and agricultural education. The report also found that farmers are more accepting of measures that incur less cost and have a more immediate visible effect, such as drainage ditch remediation. The researchers noted that measures with high implementation or transaction costs need to be 'differentially incentivised', such as the Farming for Water EIP. Barriers Noel Meehan, head of Teagasc Water Quality Knowledge Transfer Department said that the research identified behavioural drivers and barriers for farmers in adopting water quality protection actions. 'The project also identified obstacles encountered by advisory services in providing advice and support to farmers in adopting these measures. 'The research shows that advisors also need training and upskilling in the provision of water quality advice, something that the Better Farming for Water Campaign is working to achieve with both Teagasc and private advisors,' he said. Meehan added that findings can now be used to develop policies and supports for both farmers and advisors. Professor Cathal O'Donoghue from the University of Galway, stressed the importance of adopting 'system-wide' efforts in fostering meaningful change. He also noted that 'all the actors' across government departments, researchers, cooperatives, advisors, farmers and farming organisations need to continue to 'think differently'.