The role of experiential learning in the adoption of best land management practices

Agriculture is both the cornerstone of global food security and one main drivers environmental degradation. To address existing potential impacts agriculture, policymakers are increasingly focussing on influencing farmers’ behaviour to adopt best management practices (BMPs). One strategies adopted provision advice aimed at raising awareness pollution mitigation measures. By improving awareness, it expected that changes in would be reflected adoption BMPs. This expectation based assumption a direct link between uptake So far, however, limited empirical research has shown that, while there adoption, this indirect mediated moderated by other factors. intervening factors remains poorly understood enabling capacity experiential learning brings. Through mixed-methods approach, we explored role The study focusses process associated with use nutrient plans reduce diffuse water from agriculture context soil sampling scheme Northern Ireland (UK). Overall, found seems have contributed increased BMPs, likelihood if farmers had prepared themselves. shows critical plays deepening understanding increasing adopting provides support for conceptual premise information important, need actively engage able reflect practice lead behavioural changes. also suggests move predominant model unidirectional relationship (the notion always starts behaviour), bidirectional (i.e. awareness) such interactions through analysing feedback loops over time. More could offer insights into effective ways help BMPs ultimately contribute reducing agricultural land management.