scholarly journals Exploring farmer perceptions of agroforestry via multi-objective optimisation: a test application in Eastern Panama

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 2003-2020
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Gosling ◽  
Esther Reith ◽  
Thomas Knoke ◽  
Andrés Gerique ◽  
Carola Paul
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

Abstract Understanding farmers’ perceptions of and preferences towards agroforestry is essential to identify systems with the greatest likelihood of adoption to inform successful rural development projects. In this study we offer a novel approach for evaluating agroforestry systems from the farmer perspective. The approach couples rapid rural appraisal and normative optimisation techniques to determine favourable land-use compositions for meeting various socio-economic and ecological goals, based on farmers’ empirical knowledge and preferences. We test our approach among smallholder farmers in Eastern Panama, obtaining data from household interviews and using hierarchical cluster analysis to identify farm groups with similar land-use and income characteristics. We found that moderate differences in farmers’ perceptions between these groups altered the type and share of agroforestry included in the optimised land-use portfolios that balance the achievement of 10 pre-selected socio-economic and ecological objectives. Such differences provide valuable information about potential acceptability of agroforestry within each group. For example, we found that farmers who derive most of their farm income from crops may be more willing to adopt silvopasture, whereas farmers who are more economically dependent on cattle may benefit from diversifying their land-use with alley cropping. We discuss the potential of this modelling approach for participatory land-use planning, especially when dealing with small sample sizes and uncertainty in datasets.

scholarly journals Land Use Planning of Way Betung Watershed for Sustainable Water Resources Development of Bandar Lampung City

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Slamet Budi Yuwono ◽  
Naik Sinukaban ◽  
Kukuh Murtilaksono ◽  
Bunasor Sanim
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Watershed Land Use ◽  
Run Off

Way Betung watershed is one of the important water resources in Lampung Province and it provides a clean water for Bandar Lampung City through a regional water supply company (PDAM). By the increase of population and economical activities of Bandar Lampung City, the need of clean water also increase, however by the time, the conditions of Way Betung watershed as water resources are declining. Therefore, to improve or to restore WayBetung watershed, a high cost is needed. The research was aimed: (a) to study the effects of Way Betung watershed land use change on the water resources of Bandar Lampung City, (b) to arrange the sustainable development of Way Betung watershed in order to maintain the availability of water resources. The sustainable developments of water resources of Way Betung watershed were arranged in five alternatives/scenarios and each alternative was related toits erosion (USLE method) and its run off volume (SCS method). The results showed that land use changes of Way Betung watershed (1991-2006) were likely to increase daily maximum discharge (Q max), to decrease daily minimum discharge (Q min), to increase fluctuation of river discharge, and to increase yearly run off coeffcient. The best sustainable development of water resources of Way Betung watershed, Lampung Province, was alternative/scenario-4 (forest as 30% of watershed areas + alley cropping in the mix garden). This alternative will decrease erosion to the level lower than tolerable soil loss and also decrease fluctuation of monthly run off.Keywords: Land use change, run off coefficient, water resources, watershed

scholarly journals Farmers’ Participation in Agroforestry System in Northwestern Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-265
Author(s):  
M. N. Danjuma ◽  
S. Mohammed ◽  
M. Z. Karkarna
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Home Garden ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Tree Seedling ◽  
Scattered Trees ◽  
The One

The aim of this study is to assess agroforestry practices in Northwestern Nigeria with a view to bringing to light some salient features of the system for maximising benefits and improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the study area. A total of one hundred and sixty six smallholder farmers were sampled using random technique from five hundred and fifty farmers’ listed by the contact forum in the study area. Questionnaire was administered to the one hundred and sixty six smallholder farmers with a view to examining the level of farmers’ participation in agroforestry in six villages namely Kabobi and Garki in Katsina State, Bulangu and Abonabo in Jigawa State, Bobo in Zamfara State and Gulma in Kebbi State. Interview was also conducted with ten farmers in Bulangu, Kabobi and Gulma to provide explanations on the limitation to acceptance of agroforestry innovations in the study area. Data collected with the questionnaire was analysed using simple percentage and frequency in order to measure dispersion among sampled farmers. Data collected from the interview was coded, transcribed and presented in textual form in the paper. Result of the study revealed that seven agroforestry systems (alley cropping, boarder line planting, scattered planting, woodlot, apiculture, orchard and home garden) were practiced in the area. Orchard and home garden were not practiced in Kabobi, the northern most of the villages. It also indicated farmers’ level of participation for the seven identified technologies as follows: Alley cropping (25.63%), boarder line planting (16.25%), scattered trees on farmland (36.25%), woodlot (1.25%), orchard (1.88%), apiculture (8.75%) and home gardens (10.00%). The key factors limiting acceptance of innovations include: l) lack of tree seedling (25.00%), land tenure issues (17.50%), long tree gestation period of indigenous species (50.63%) and insect attack (06.88%). This study recommended that farmers should be educated more on agroforestry technologies through mass media programmes and ICT.

scholarly journals Effects of Land Degradation on Agricultural Land Use: A Case Study of Smallholder Farmers Indigenous Knowledge on Land Use Planning and Management in Kalama Division, Machakos County

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Masila Samson Muloo ◽  
Kauti Matheaus Kioko ◽  
Kimiti Jacinta M.
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Planning And Management

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of land degradation on agricultural land use, planning and management in Kalama Division, Machakos County; and specifically determined farmers’ considerations of land suitability for selected types of agricultural land uses in varying cropping zones, investigated farmers’ local environmental knowledge of land degradation indicators and finally documented farmers’ land management strategies and practices for soil and water conservation. Data was collected using a questionnaire, along a road transect cutting across upper, middle and lower zones (parts) of a slope. A total of 40 households along the transect on the three zones were interviewed. Results obtained revealed that crop farming, livestock, poultry, farm forestry and bee keeping were the major agricultural land use activities carried out in the study area. Overall, steep slope was the most important factor considered for farm forestry (17%) (5.29 STDEV). Bee farming was the least land use practice accounting for only 1% of total land use. Most land degradation (15%) was reported in the middle zone while lowest land degradation (7%) was reported in the upper zone. The study found out that most households were aware of land degradation indicators in their local environment and described them using their indigenous environmental knowledge. The smallholder farmers prevented further land degradation by use of their local or traditional ways such as application of organic manure, planting of trees, crop rotation, use of gabions and stone lines. Different zones had different land use and management practices due to differences in terrain and other physical and biophysical characteristics. Overall, the major land management practices included tree planting (23%) (4.04 STDEV) and water conservation and gabion making (10%) (2.52 STDEV). This study clearly established an existence of smallholder farmers’ indigenous knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs of the local environmental factors of land condition which are necessary for the farmer’s decision-making on land use planning and management. On the basis of these findings, the study argues for place-based analysis and understanding of the landscape structure and local micro-environments in enhancing understanding of local-level decision-making on land use planning and management by smallholder farmers in maintaining livelihood security. Even though the study is limited to the local scope, it can provide a basis for designing policies aimed at rural livelihood security improvement and inform and facilitate targeting of outside interventions such as land use planning and management programs which can be built on existing indigenous knowledge.

scholarly journals Who Adopts Agroforestry in a Subsistence Economy?—Lessons from the Terai of Nepal

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 565
Author(s):  
Arun Dhakal ◽  
Rajesh Kumar Rai
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Farming Practice ◽  
Agroforestry Adoption

Agroforestry is recognized as a sustainable land use practice. However, the uptake of such a promising land use practice is slow. Through this research, carried out in a Terai district of Nepal, we thoroughly examine what influences farmers’ choice of agroforestry adoption and what discourages the adoption. For this, a total of 288 households were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Two agroforestry practices were compared with conventional agriculture with the help of the Multinomial Logistic Regression (MNL) model. The likelihood of adoption was found to be influenced by gender: the male-headed households were more likely to adopt the tree-based farming practice. Having a source of off-farm income was positively associated with the adoption decision of farmers. Area of farmland was found as the major constraint to agroforestry adoption for smallholder farmers. Some other variables that affected positively included livestock herd size, provision of extension service, home-to- forest distance, farmers’ group membership and awareness of farmers about environmental benefits of agroforestry. Irrigation was another adoption constraint that the study area farmers were faced with. The households with a means of transport and with a larger family (household) size were found to be reluctant regarding agroforestry adoption. A collective farming practice could be a strategy to engage the smallholder farmers in agroforestry.

On the Entropic Heating of Microfluidics for PCR Applications

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Walsh ◽  
P. A. Walsh ◽  
R. Grimes ◽  
M. R. D. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Research ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Entropy Generation Rate ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cycle Times ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Pcr Technology ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

Polymerized Chain Reaction (PCR) technology has for a number of years been used as a tool for a range of applications in genetic research. Indeed, in the world of genetics PCR is considered to be one of the most important discoveries of the last century. This work is focused upon understanding and utilizing the thermodynamics of the fluid flow through microsystems, with the aim of developing an efficient thermocycler for PCR applications. The novel approach of utilizing the entropy generation rate in a couette type flow to provide entropic heating to the bio-fluid is addressed. The advantages of such a PCR device include, the removal of external heaters, an even distribution of heating through the bio-fluid, possibility of enhanced mixing, fast cycle times and the requirement for small sample sizes. These parameters are key requirements for an efficient PCR on the microscale. It is also demonstrated that this concept is not possible on the macro scale due to the ratio of heat generation relatively to fluid volume, however on the micro scale it is demonstrated to be theoretically plausible.

scholarly journals Strategic land-use planning instruments in tropical regions: state of the art and future research.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Oliveira ◽  
Patrick Meyfroidt
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Land Systems ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Research Domains

Abstract Human-induced activities are threatening the socio-economic and ecological sustainability of land systems globally, including in tropical regions. Authorities in these regions prepare and implement land-use plans to select and organize land uses in a way that will meet the needs of local communities while safeguarding ecosystems services. To this end, land-use planning is used to assess, manage and monitor the physical, social and economic conditions of territories and thus assist agribusiness, smallholder farmers and other land users in their land-based activities. There is, however, a lack of systematic studies identifying strategic oriented land-use planning instruments and further detailing the extent of their effectiveness in supporting land governance. Here, we contribute to address this gap by reviewing academic and grey literature with a geographic scope on tropical regions. We conclude by sketching future research domains intended to expand the role of strategic planning approaches in land governance in the tropics.

The Human Causes of Forest Depletion in Nigeria

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gbdebo Jonathan Osemeobo
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Forest Depletion

Human activities in Nigeria are not evenly distributed on the land surface, owing to marked differences in climatic, geological, demographic, and cultural, factors in different areas of Nigeria. The use of land is designed to optimize resources for diverse interest-groups, thus causing pressures to be exerted on the land in varied degrees. Because land-uses are neither influenced by capabilities of existing resources nor based on effective land-use policy, the economic development of land is not conducive to conservation of the environment. Indeed, the attempt to maximize the use of resources constitutes a serious impediment to future development, as most lands are either destroyed or rendered marginal for primary production.However, the best use to which land can be put is ultimately largely a political matter, and this is influenced by socio-economic factors at work in a given environment. Unfortunately, when the use of land is not in harmony with ecological approaches to development, the soils commonly depreciate to counter-productive levels. This is why, when land uses are in opposition, they pose serious questions regarding the extent to which they can adequately sustain life. There is plenty of evidence that the rate of forest depletion in the country may increase in relation to population increase, which is why, without adequate measures being taken, constraints in land-use could lead to shortened fallow periods, reduced crop-yields, overgrazing, indiscriminate burning of vegetation, excessive hunting, poor techniques of mineral exploitation, and application of unconserving agro-technical practices for food production.In the face of the above problems, however, adoption of alley cropping by smallholder farmers, establishment of woodlots for fuel-wood production in the vicinity of large towns, planting of timber trees in the periphery of cocoa and oil palm plantations, private-sector participation in reafforestation, and rehabilitation of mined areas with suitable vegetational forms, are some of the strategies that can reduce the rate of forest depletion in the country.

scholarly journals Agroforestry a pathway to climate smart agribusiness: Lessons to smallholder farmers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getahun Kassa
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Justice ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Annual Crops ◽  
Low Emission ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Global Goal ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Abstract Agroforestry systems have become increasingly relevant in recent days as they introduced new commercial opportunities to smallholder farmers. In the same vein, being an eco-friendly practice has gained agroforestry systems popularity as a climate-smart agriculture practice. However, exploiting the investment potential of agroforestry systems requires understanding their challenges and opportunities as a business. The review addresses the combination of annual crops with trees to ensure stable income, social, and environmental justice. In a nutshell, by creating a productive, resilient, and low-emission land-use for smallholder farmers, agroforestry systems can be an effective and efficient pathway towards climate-smart agribusiness and to the achievement of the Global Goal of Sustainable Development.

scholarly journals Which Socio-economic Conditions Drive the Selection of Agroforestry at the Forest Frontier?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Gosling ◽  
Thomas Knoke ◽  
Esther Reith ◽  
Alyna Reyes Cáceres ◽  
Carola Paul
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Robust Optimisation ◽  
Land Use Model ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Important Barrier ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractModels are essential to assess the socio-economic credentials of new agroforestry systems. In this study, we showcase robust optimisation as a tool to evaluate agroforestry’s potential to meet farmers’ multiple goals. Our modelling approach has three parts. First, we use a discrete land-use model to evaluate two agroforestry systems (alley cropping and silvopasture) and conventional land uses against five socio-economic objectives, focusing on the forest frontier in eastern Panama. Next, we couple the land-use model with robust optimisation, to determine the mix of land uses (farm portfolio) that minimises trade-offs between the five objectives. Here we consider uncertainty to simulate the land-use decisions of a risk-averse farmer. Finally, we assess how the type and amount of agroforestry included in the optimal land-use portfolio changes under different environmental, socio-economic and political scenarios, to explore the conditions that may make agroforestry more attractive for farmers. We identify silvopasture as a promising land use for meeting farmers’ goals, especially for farms with less productive soils. The additional labour demand compared to conventional pasture, however, may prove an important barrier to adoption for farms facing acute labour shortages. The selection of agroforestry responded strongly to changes in investment costs and timber prices, suggesting that cost-sharing arrangements and tax incentives could be effective strategies to enhance adoption. We found alley cropping to be less compatible with farmers’ risk aversion, but this agroforestry system may still be a desirable complement to the land-use portfolio, especially for farmers who are more profit-oriented and tolerant of risk.

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