Policy Recommendations for BMP adoption in Ontario's Potato Sector

Potato producers in Ontario face individual and structural challenges impacting their operations. Adopting Best Management Practices (BMPs) can improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability of producers in Ontario’s potato sector, but depending on their size and market participation, they have different capacity and willingness to adopt certain BMPs. To support the increased use and adoption of BMPs by farmers throughout the sector this study aimed to understand key drivers and barriers to BMP adoption, and construct a Theory of Change outlining pathways to increase adoption for diverse producers in the sector. Quantitative survey data was triangulated with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, participant observation and Focus Group Discussion to understand the context, key challenges, and key differences facing farmers. A systems thinking approach was then used to understand key drivers and barriers of BMP use. A Theory of Change workshop was conducted with policy-makers, researchers and practitioners to collaboratively identify the main changes that need to take place to increase the adoption of BMPs in the sector. This study identified that small, medium and large-scale farmers experience different drivers and barriers impacting their operations and BMP use. Different access to resources, market participation, production styles and social networks require that different approaches are required when considering their BMP adoption. This study found that willingness to adopt BMPs largely depends on whether farmers have the capacity and the incentives to adopt and that distinct approaches are required to address the different barriers experienced by small, medium and large-scale producers.