Ren Hu

Research

PhD title: Australian agricultural restructuring and farmers’ responses: a case study of the Illawarra region, New South Wales

My project aims to understand and analyse changes of the dairy industry, especially the farm sector, in the Illawarra region, New South Wales, mainly by using theories of neoliberalism, agricultural transition and technological change. Dairy farming dominates Illawarra agriculture, and has been constantly pressured by industry restructuring and urban sprawl. To maintain the century-long tradition of family farming, dairy farmers not just work hard but try to improve their business from various angles. My study provides a fine-level understanding of the transformation of local agriculture and may provide valuable insights for food authorities to enhance food security in a future characterised by environmental challenges and resource scarcity.