DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGIES TO INCREASE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF MOHAIR AND CASHMERE IN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

We aimed to identify impediments to investing into mohair and cashmere production and to suggest programs and strategies to attract investors. Targeted interviews of people focussed on attributes of an investment opportunity. Analysis differentiated views of small and large-scale producers and those not involved in these industries. Potential investors into mohair and cashmere make decisions based on the compatibility of the enterprise to their farm system, the technical, financial and market feasibility of the enterprise and its comparative advantage with other possible courses of action. They are sceptical of information coming from within these industries that is not sufficiently supported by fact. There are many implications from these findings including the need for the industries to: understand the investment decision process; provide objective financial and benchmarking data; make information more accessible; overcome resistance to these industries; and increase the visibility of the industries.