Woodland Grazing: Untapped Resource to Increase Economic Benefits from Forestland

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7-8
Author(s):  
Lila B Karki ◽  
Uma Karki ◽  
Anand Tiwari
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Woodland Owners

Abstract The southeastern United States offers a tremendous opportunity for expanding woodland grazing technology for small ruminants in its almost 60 percent woodland. Like in many other states, Alabama alone has 23 million acres of woodland. Conversely, livestock owners face a daunting challenge to forage their animals for about seven lean months each year. Raising animals on concentrates, of course, is economically unfeasible for small-scale producers. Woodland grazing is an untapped practice that boosts economic, social, and environmental benefits to woodland owners. The objectives of this study were to diversify household cash flow for woodland owners and simultaneously promote forage-based livestock production systems. The study was conducted at Tuskegee University from 2017 to 2020 in 6 acres of woodland (southern pines and non-pine species). Meat goats (8 Wethers) and hair sheep (5 Rams) were grazed rotationally for 6 months (May–Oct.) until they consumed 50% of the available foliage. They were not fed any supplement feed while grazing in woodlands. The feeding cost was estimated using four scenarios: sack/pellet, hay, sack/pellet and hay, and woodland grazing holding health, management, minerals and water costs constant. Feeding cost was 58–204% lower, and labor cost was 50–100% less in woodland grazing compared to conventional feeding systems. Extrapolated data reveal that woodland owners may generate about $9,947.00 more cash flow annually from 50 acres with woodland grazing than without grazing. Moreover, the system approach strengthens knowledge, attitude, awareness, skill, and motivation of the family members and community as a percolation effect. Besides, the environmental benefits (controlling unwanted and invading species and aesthetic pleasure) increase the economic value. Results reveal that woodland grazing can open an enormous economic opportunity to all forestland owners by upholding annual cash flow while trees are growing and making the total returns from woodlands much higher than the monocropping-timber.

Environmental Impacts and Benefits of Agroforestry

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shibu Jose
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Agronomic Crops ◽  
The World ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Agroforestry systems, the planting of perennial trees and/or shrubs with annual agronomic crops or pasture, have been proposed as more environmentally benign, alternative systems for agricultural production in both temperate and tropical regions of the world. Agroforestry provides a number of environmental benefits as confirmed by scientific literature. The four major environmental benefits of agroforestry are (1) climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, (2) biodiversity conservation, (3) soil health enrichment, and (4) air and water quality improvement. In addition to environmental benefits, the economic benefits of multiple crops within agroforestry systems have also generated interest in their adoption by farmers the world over. The major negative impacts come from conversion or degradation of forests following certain traditional practices, which may not fit in the definition of modern agroforestry. Challenges remain for widespread adoption of agroforestry, particularly in the temperate world; however, a new resurgence of interest in this land-use practice among small-scale farmers has shed light on a path toward its possible success. Past evidence clearly indicates that agroforestry, as part of a multifunctional working landscape, can offer not only economic return, but also a number of ecosystem services and environmental benefits for a sustainable society.

Local and global benefits of subsidizing tropical forest conservation

2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Forest Conservation ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Tropical Forest Conservation ◽  
Financial Benefits

The article describes and quantifies the financial benefits of small-scale community forestry, conducted on an ecologically sustainable basis—‘eco-forestry’, by customary landowners in Papua New Guinea. Through economic modelling the article also attempts to quantify the global benefits generated. Eco-forestry is subsidized by donors directly and through NGOs in its setting up and certification. Financial modelling suggests that, with a subsidy, eco-forestry is capable of generating a return to landowners that is comparable to industrial logging. While the return to logging followed by conversion to agriculture is much more attractive than eco-forestry, agriculture is an option available only in some locations. Economic modelling finds that the external economic benefits emanating from tropical forest conservation that replaces logging in Papua New Guinea are far greater in scale than the financial benefits to landowners. However, the lack of reliable data on the environmental benefits of forest conservation means that economic analysis is somewhat inconclusive. The need for further research to quantify environmental benefits is thus highlighted. The subsidization of forest conservation directly, instead of indirectly through small-scale forestry, is investigated and found to generate a similar level of economic benefits to eco-forestry. However, the cost of direct subsidization is greater. Moreover, mechanisms for direct subsidy are undeveloped in Papua New Guinea. Donors may prefer to continue to subsidize small-scale forestry where it replaces logging because of its apparent conservation and side benefits and because it is operational, while at the same time exploring and extending cost-effective models of direct conservation that have the advantage over eco-forestry of being applicable in more remote areas. Compared with industrial logging, eco-forestry contributes little to consolidated revenue. Therefore it is to be expected that eco-forestry will meet government resistance if it makes significant inroads into the allocation of logging concessions.

scholarly journals Assessment of Environmental Impact and Economic Viability of Domestic Biogas Plant Technology in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Suraya Akter ◽  
Humayun Kabir ◽  
Shamima Akhter ◽  
Md. Mehedi Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Net Present Value ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽  
Biogas Technology

The study investigated the distinct environmental impacts and economic viability of domestic biogas technology in the countryside of Bangladesh. The study was carried out by a survey through personal interviews with biogas users. Seventy households were selected purposively and interviews were conducted through semi-structured questionnaires. The study mainly highlighted the potential reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and economic benefits of biogas utilization which were evaluated considering the substitution of traditional biomass fuels, by saving Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and cost of chemical fertilizer, and carbon trading. The economic benefits are addressed using some well-known economic indicators like Net Present Value (NPV), Payback Period (PBP), and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). The results of the study revealed that a small-scale household anaerobic cow dung biogas digester not only exhibited the potential to cut carbon emissions on average by about 7.8 tons of CO2 equivalents yearly, but it also demonstrated the economic feasibility of doing so as the value of NPV and BCR was positive. This study recommends that the government approach, awareness program, and continuous and proper performing of the biogas technology are needed to intensify the multiples environmental benefits of the technology.

Estimating the value of genetic gain in perennial pastures with emphasis on temperate species

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Smith ◽  
C. Ludemann ◽  
C. D. Lewis ◽  
B. Malcolm ◽  
R. G. Banks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Forage Plants ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Breeding Objectives ◽  
The Many ◽  
Pasture Plants

Relatively little is known about the weightings that breeders consciously or subconsciously place on specific traits when selecting individual plants, or the weightings agronomists and producers use when evaluating the relative merits of alternative cultivars and their potential economic value in farm systems. This is despite the many active programs for breeding improved forage plants, and in contrast to most modern animal-breeding programs where the relative merits of novel genetics are assessed against index-based breeding objectives. There are many reasons why breeding objectives based on profit indices are not used when breeding pasture plants. The nature of pasture as an intermediate input to farm output and profit poses unique difficulties in developing breeding objectives based on profit. In this paper, we review the literature about methods to value genetic gain in perennial grasses. Various methods are canvassed for assessing the value of genetic gain for different pasture species across production systems. In the context of the complexity and cost of estimating the direct economic benefits of superior characteristics of pasture plants in farm systems via bio-economic simulation methods, we outline the use, and usefulness, of discrete choice techniques in the development of weightings for specific traits in forage plant improvement. There is a clear need to estimate the value of new pasture cultivars to producers, and although the differences between individual farms mean that one value or one ‘best’ cultivar is unlikely for any farm, the estimation of potential value of traits and cultivars will allow producers to make choices that are more informed.

scholarly journals Social and Ecological Drivers of the Economic Value of Pollination Services Delivered to Coffee in Central Uganda

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Mushambanyi Théodore Munyuli
Keyword(s):  
Economic Value ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Agricultural Extension Service ◽  
Coffee Farm

On-farm pollination experiments were conducted in 30 different small-scale coffee fields to determine monetary value attributable to pollination services in coffee production and to identify the degree of influences of various socio-ecological drivers in Uganda. Ecological-economic approaches were applied to determine the economic value of pollinating services. Economic value of bees increased significantly with increase in coffee farm size, bee diversity, and cover of seminatural habitats. The value of bees declined sharply (P<0.05) with forest distance and cultivation intensity. Economic values of pollinating services associated with coffee fields established in regions with low intensity were found to be high. Organically managed small-scale coffee fields were 2 times more profitable than commercially managed farms. The annual value of pollinating services delivered by wild bees oscillated between US$67.18 and US$1431.36. Central Uganda produces in total 0.401 million tons of coffee beans for an approximate economic value of US$214 million from which US$149.42 million are attributable to pollination services. Policy makers should strengthen environmental/agricultural extension service systems to better serve farmers. Farmers are recommended to protect/increase the cover of natural and semi-natural habitats in the vicinity of their coffee fields to receive high economic benefits from pollinating services delivered by bees.

scholarly journals Climate-Smart Agriculture on Small-Scale Farms: A Systematic Literature Review

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1096
Author(s):  
Tamás Mizik
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Case Site

Overpopulation and climate change are among the greatest challenges the world faces. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) provides an adequate answer by aiming for higher productivity, resilience, as well as GHG emission reduction. As small-scale farms are the cornerstone of the agricultural sector, especially in developing countries, their greater involvement in climate-related actions is essential. CSA practices seek a higher and more stable income sustainably. This systematic literature review aims to provide an overview of how CSA is realized on small-scale farms, what the major CSA practices applied are, and what factors motivate and hamper higher CSA adoption. Based on 30 selected articles, the major message of the literature is a case/site-specific approach due to the tremendous heterogeneity of small-scale farms. As agricultural production is characterized by high risks and low returns, small-scale farmers must consider the length of the payback period when they decide on any CSA practices. This is the reason smallholdings, who implement any CSA practices, must achieve economic benefits, otherwise, they need to be compensated for providing environmental benefits. Moreover, simpler methods with low labor intensity are often applied. Access to the different financial instruments and inputs, knowledge/education/information, and land use security are the critical factors of the CSA adoption. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that, unlike off-farm activities/incomes, full-time farming is a serious commitment that positively influences CSA adoption.

scholarly journals Socio-ecological dimensions of agroforestry called kebun campuran in tropical karst ecosystem of West Java, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
PARIKESIT PARIKESIT ◽  
SUSANTI WITHANINGSIH ◽  
FAKHRUR ROZI
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
West Java ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Karst Ecosystem ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Tropical Karst

Abstract. Parikesit, Withaningsih S, Rozi F. 2021. Socio-ecological dimensions of agroforestry called kebun campuran in tropical karst ecosystem of West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 122-131.  Traditional and modernized systems combining agricultural and forestry production systems-called agroforestry-was developed by humans under the influence of biophysical and social conditions which often result in heterogeneous landscape. The so-called kebun campuran (mixed gardens) is one of the agroforestry forms that can be encountered in the humid tropics of Indonesia. However, socio-ecological information of this man-made vegetation and its multidimensional functions in particular environmental settings like karst is still limited. This paper aims to elucidate socio-ecological dimensions of kebun campuran in karst ecosystem in Pangandaran District, West Java, Indonesia. A vegetation survey was carried out to reveal the bio-ecological dimensions of kebun campuran complemented with socio-economic questionnaires. The results show that kebun campuran played an important role for the owners as the majority of them gained economic benefits from this agroforest. More than 50% of the owners had their main income from kebun campuran, therefore, kebun campuran was considered a valuable family asset. Kebun campuran ownership put the owner in a higher social status, despite the fact that 80.9% of them had only elementary education background. Correlation analysis showed that there was a very significant correlation between the areas of kebun campuran, rice-field, and homegarden ownership. The analysis also indicated that the economic value of kebun campuran derived from its products increased as its area became larger. There were diverse products like timber, fruits, fuelwood and forages extracted from kebun campuran. Among economically important species were Albizia chinensis (silk tree), Cocos nucifera (coconuts), Manilkara zapota (sapodilla), Musa paradisiaca (banana). Despite its beneficial value, kebun campuran was not intensively managed. On the other hand, the structural vegetation pattern of kebun campuran was the result of various practices carried out by the owners through the processes of introduction, domestication, and selection of plant species. Maintaining kebun campuran in the coastal landscape of Pangandaran might ensure the future of karst ecosystem in this southern coastal area of West Java.

Incentive contract or tenure reform? Understanding the transition of forest resources management in China

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiegen Wei ◽  
Haoran He
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tenure Reform ◽  
Level Data ◽  
The Government ◽  
Forest Resources Management

Purpose – China’s government has been facing a trade-off in choosing between tenure reform and forest concessions to manage forest resources. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the government’s policy choices can be affected by environmental benefits and the economic value of forests. Design/methodology/approach – We build a simple theoretical model and employ province-level data. Findings – The results show that the government will allocate less forestland to local people if environmental concerns are more important and privatize less forest if the economic benefits from forest are higher. Social implications – Therefore, the transformation of forest management policies reflects not only the government’s own preferences but also its gradual adjustment to the changing market and institutional environment. Originality/value – The present paper provides a regulation approach that complements the growing literature on forest resource management.

scholarly journals The Socially Responsible Company distinctive as an element for the creation of economic value of a company

2020 ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Edgar Mauricio Flores Sánchez ◽  
Javier Antonio Flores Delgado ◽  
Axel Rodríguez Batres ◽  
Joaquín Bernardo Varela Espidio
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Free Cash Flow ◽  
Focal Points ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Flow Method ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose: The present investigation was designed to determine the possible relationship between obtaining the Socially Responsible Company distinctive and the generation of economic value by the obtaining companies. Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 32 companies listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange that were awarded the Socially Responsible Company distinctive was drawn and two valuation focal points were considered: one before obtaining the distinctive and another subsequent to it. To establish the economic value of the companies, the free-cash-flow method was used. This study is considered, therefore, under the income approach of business valuation methods. Finally, the values obtained in both focal points were compared to determine the change in generated value attributable to the SRC distinctive. Findings: The results confirmed that obtaining the distinctive as a Socially Responsible Company does have an impact on the generation of economic value for the companies belonging to the sample -measured through the free-cash-flow method. This impact was determined at an average 6.26%, reasonably resembling the distribution of individual results a normal probabilistic distribution. Originality/value: This work adds value to the research on corporate social responsibility value measurement. This research study differentiates from others in the area due to the use of the CSR certification granted in Mexico by CEMEFI, as a social responsibility variable. In addition, the free-cash-flow method was used in the analysis, which is a novelty as it had not been applied to investigations of this type before. Likewise, this research work adds to past research in as much as it concludes that there is a positive relationship between corporate social responsibility and the generation of economic benefits.

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