Co-learning in the development of lotus pasture technology in Australia

A 5-year project was undertaken in New South Wales, Australia, to develop and implement lotus pasture technology (Greater lotus, Lotus uliginosus; birdsfoot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus). The project was modelled on a core experiment/co-learning paradigm. A core experiment investigated issues of species adaptation and grazing management, and a co-learning phase aimed at promoting simultaneous improvement and adoption of lotus technology. Most participants felt that involvement with co-learning gave them increased technical knowledge of lotus. Increased knowledge facilitated changes that included farming practice changes (such as establishing lotus pastures or modifications to grazing management), or changing the approach to learning and problem solving towards a co-learning mode. The strengths of the co-learning model were that it was flexible, farmers and industry sponsors worked together, and it increased the effectiveness of the project. The weaknesses were that those groups with informal structures found it difficult to function as a team, and the time limits imposed by the project limited the learning experience.