Agrifood systems knowledge exchange through Australia-Pacific circular migration schemes

Pacific Island workers contribute significantly to Australia's agriculture and food security through the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP). Previous studies show the economic benefits of the SWP to both Australian agro-industries and Pacific workers. However, there are limited studies about the agricultural knowledge exchange that occurs via the circular migration enabled by the SWP, and the experiences of workers and employers as agricultural knowledge holders. With the SWP merged into the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme, there is an opportunity to help define how circular migration is both an economic and agricultural development policy. In this paper, we present findings from interviews with 63 workers (from Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu) about agricultural knowledge and skills acquired and exchanged via SWP participation. We provide a discussion of opportunities for knowledge exchange in international labour mobility, and areas of future research in circular migration.

Automated summary

Pacific Island workers make significant contributions to Australia's agriculture and food security through the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP). While previous studies have shown the economic benefits of the SWP, there is limited research on the agricultural knowledge exchange enabled by circular migration and the experiences of workers and employers as knowledge holders. With the merger of the SWP into the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme, this paper presents findings from interviews with 63 workers about agricultural knowledge exchange and highlights opportunities for further research in circular migration.