Impacts of changing weather patterns on smallholder well-being

Author(s):  
Akhter Ali ◽  
Dil Bahadur Rahut ◽  
Khondoker Abdul Mottaleb ◽  
Olaf Erenstein

Purpose This paper aims to assesses impacts of perceived weather changes (i.e. temperature, wind and rainfall) at the farm household level on income, poverty, wheat yield and use of timber and non-timber forest products in Pakistan’s Himalayan region. Mountains are fragile ecosystems – particularly for farming and in the context of climate change. Yet for many such geographies, there is limited empirical understanding of the potential impacts of climate change. Design/methodology/approach It uses a comprehensive field survey of 500 farmers from the Gilgit-Baltistan territory (comprising seven districts Ghizer, Gilgit, Diamer, Astore, Skardu, Ghance and Hunza-Nagar). A multivariate probit model first assesses the factors associated with perceived weather changes by farm households and a propensity score matching (PSM) approach then estimates the impacts of the perceived changes in temperature, wind and rainfall. Findings The empirical results show that an overwhelming majority of the farmers experience climate change, which primarily has adverse impacts on household income, poverty levels and wheat yields and increases dependence on both timber and non-timber forest products. Originality/value This paper contributes to the scanty literature on the climate change in the Himalayan region of Pakistan.

Author(s):  
A. F. Aderounmu ◽  
A. A. Adejumo

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are products or services other than timber that is produced in a forest and of course, are indispensable parts of the livelihood strategy of the forest’s adjoining communities. Their economic potentials necessitated the need for research to be carried out on its production and constraints facing its supply in the study area. Therefore, constraints to NTFPs’ supply in Ago-Owu forest reserve and its environment were investigated. Three communities (Mokore, Ajegunle and Alabameta) were randomly selected communities of the identified study area (Mokore, Ajegunle, Alabameta, Elewe, Alaguntan and Okodowo) identified communities in the study area. Their populations were sought for and samples were drawn in proportionate to their sizes: Mokore (50), Ajegunle (40) and Alabameta (20). This gave a total number of 110 respondents from which 105 questionnaires were derived for the investigations. A set of questionnaire was used to obtain data on source of NTFPs, commonly sourced NTFPs and constraints facing its supply in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit regression at α0.05. Majority of the respondents were male (69.1%) and 64.8% of them were within the age of 30-50 years. Also, most of the respondents were married (78.1%) and less than half of them (41%) had no formal education, but were predominantly farmers (72.4%). The major source of NTFPs in the study area was forest reserve (70.5%), while a total of seventeen (17) different NTFPs commonly sourced were documented. Constraints facing the supply of NTFPs included Climate change, Lack of finance for smooth running of the activities involved in the products’ supply and price fluctuation with odds-ratio of 9.87, 5.66 and 1.92 respectively. The study established the significance of the Ago-Owu forest reserve to the livelihood of the forest dwellers. However, there is need for the establishment of new plantations to fostering production of the products as well as serving as adaptation strategies against climate change. There is also an urgent need for the State Forestry Service/government to address their areas of concern pointed out in this study for bio-prospecting, economic well-being of forest dwellers and great advantage of boost in revenue propensity of Osun State.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habib Zafarullah ◽  
Ahmed Shafiqul Huque

Purpose With climate change and environmental degradation being major issues in the world today, it is imperative for governments within a regional setting to collaborate on initiatives, harmonize their policies and develop strategies to counter threats. In South Asia, several attempts have been made to create a common framework for action in implementing synchronized policies. However, both political and technical deterrents have thwarted moves to accommodate priorities and interests of collaborating states. The purpose of this paper is to assess these issues and existing policies/strategies in selected South Asian countries and evaluate integrated plans of action based on collaborative partnerships. Design/methodology/approach Using a broad exploratory and interpretive approach, this paper evaluates how harmonization of environmental principles and synergies among countries can help reduce the effect of climate change and environmental hazards. Based on a review of ideas and concepts as well as both primary and secondary sources, including official records, legislation, inter-state and regional agreements, evaluation reports, impact studies (social, economic and ecological), and commentaries, it highlights several initiatives and processes geared to creating environmental protection standards and practices for the South Asian region. Findings Climate change has resulted in devastating impacts on people. It contributed to the proliferation of climate refugees and high incidence of poverty in South Asia. The region faces both political and technical obstacles in developing a sustainable approach to combat climate change. This is exacerbated by non-availability of information as well as reluctance to acknowledge the problem by key actors. The best strategy will be to integrate policies and regulations in the various countries of the region to develop strategic plans. The approach of prevention and protection should replace the existing emphasis on relief and rehabilitation. Originality/value The paper provides a critical overview of the climatic and environmental problems encountered in the South Asian region and provides pointers to resolving shared problems through the use of policy instruments for regulating the problems within the gamut of regional environmental governance. It attempts to identify solutions to offset regulatory and institutional barriers in achieving preferred results by emphasizing the need for redesigning regulatory structures and policy approaches for ecological well-being.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Divine Odame Appiah ◽  
Felix Asante ◽  
Lois Antwi-Boadi ◽  
Richard Serbeh

Purpose This paper aims to examine elderly smallholder farmers’ perceptions of and adaptation to climate variability and change in the Offinso Municipality, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach This paper used quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data were analyzed with frequencies and chi-square tests, whereas qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings The results showed that elderly smallholder farmers’ knowledge of climate variability and climate change were based on their sex, level of formal education and experience in farming. Elderly smallholder farmers adopted both on-farm and off-farm strategies to cope with climate change and variability. The vulnerability of elderly smallholder farmers to climate change calls for social protection mechanisms such as a pension scheme that guarantees access to monthly cash transfers. Such a scheme will ease constraints to livelihood and ensure improved well-being. Originality/value Elderly smallholder farmers have remained invisible in discourses on perceptions and adaptation to climate change despite the surge in number of this category of farmers. This paper therefore represents an attempt to highlight the experiences of elderly smallholder farmers with climate variability and change.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e43055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Morsello ◽  
Isabel Ruiz-Mallén ◽  
Maria Dolores Montoya Diaz ◽  
Victoria Reyes-García

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tieminie Robinson Nghogekeh ◽  
Chia Eugene Loh ◽  
Tieguhong Julius Chupezi ◽  
Nghobuoche Frankline Mayiadieh ◽  
Piabuo Serge Mandiefe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: This study to assess the role of Non-timber forest products was conducted to forest dependent communities around Bamkoko Forest Reserve in the South West Region of Cameroon as a strategy to cope with the impacts of climate change. Methods: Data were collected through household questionnaires, participatory rural appraisal techniques, transect walk and direct field observations. Results: A total of 16 plants species were identified to be harvested by residents around Bamkoko Forest Reserve as None Timber Forest Products. The majority of the respondents (88%) perceived that there has been a change in the climate patterns due to increased temperatures and unpredictable rainfalls. Eru was found to be the most affected livelihood activity (55%) by climate change around Bamboko Forest Reserve. Communities living around Bamboko Forest Reserve were found to use more than one strategy to cope with the adverse effects of climate change. Conclusion: The study concluded that NTFPs still play a safety net role to assist communities in adverse situation such as crop failure under the current change in climate. The need to emphasis sustainable harvesting, improve processing and access to NTFPs markets is crucial.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Armel Bayoi ◽  
Florent Menyene Etoundi ◽  
Elvis Mouyakan A. Moumbock ◽  
Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba

Les produits forestiers ligneux (PFL) et non ligneux (PFNL) jouent un rôle important pour le bien-être des populations au Cameroun. Malheureusement, elles font face à plusieurs menaces telle que l’exploitation commerciale de la ressource et l’exploitation anarchique de bois d’œuvre ; l’absence ou l’insuffisance de donnée scientifiques nécessaires pour les prises de décision d’aménagement. L’objectif de l’étude est d’identifier et d’évaluer la disponibilité des espèces végétales dans la forêt de la station polyvalente de recherche agricole d’Abong Mbang. Un inventaire d’aménagement a été effectué avec un taux de sondage de 5%. Il ressort de cette étude qu’il y une extrême diversité des PFL et PFNL dans la zone d’étude. Un total de 69 PFL (bois d’œuvre) et 18 PFNL sont utilisées dans la localité pour l’alimentation, la santé ou l’ornement. Les fruits et les feuilles sont généralement utilisés pour la consommation alors que les écorces sont à usage médicinale. Les connaissances ancestrales des populations locales sur cette ressource est approfondie et contribue à leur bien-être ont une des PFNL.   Timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) play an important role for the well-being of the populations in Cameroon.  Unfortunately, they face several threats such as the commercial exploitation of the resource and the uncontrolled exploitation of timber; the lack or insufficiency of scientific data necessary for management decisions. The objective of the study is to identify and evaluate the availability of plant species in the forest of the Abong-Mbang Agricultural Research Station. A  management inventory was conducted with a sampling rate of 5%. The study revealed that there is an extreme diversity of LFAs and NTFPs in the study area. A total of 69 LFWPs (timber) and 18 NTFPs are used in the locality for food, health or ornamental purposes. Fruits and leaves are generally used for consumption while barks are used for medicinal purposes. The ancestral knowledge of local populations on this resource is deep and contributes to their well-being have a NTFP.


Author(s):  
Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji ◽  
Elda Nduka Okolo-Obasi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs’) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of Global Memorandum of Understandings (GMOUs) on rural young people involved in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for sustainable livelihood in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study were collected from primary sources, using participatory rural appraisal technique of semi-structured interview questionnaire. The use of participatory research techniques in collecting CSR impact data especially as it concerns the rural young people is because it involves the people being studied, and their views on all the issues are paramount. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Inferential statistical tool – estimation of logit model was used to test the two research hypothesis. Findings The results indicate that GMoUs have not given adequate attention to young people as a special target sub-group who live in rural areas and depend mostly on NTFPs. Results also show that a number of factors hindering rural young people from the use and development of NTFPs include a policy vacuum, non-destructive harvesting, and destruction of natural habitats, bushfires, population growths and high demands. Research limitations/implications The semi-structured interview questionnaire was directly administered by the researchers with the help of research assistants. The use of local research assistants was because of the inability of the researchers to speak the different local languages and dialects of the many ethnic groups of Ijaws, Ogonis, Ikweres, Etches, Ekpeyes, Ogbas, Engennes, Obolos, Isokos, Nembes, Okirikas, Kalabaris, Urhobos, Iteskiris, Igbos, Ika-Igbos, Ndonis, Orons, Ibenos, Yorubas, Ibibios, Anangs, Efiks, Bekwarras, Binis, Eshans, Etsakos, Owans, Itigidis, Epies, Akokoedos, Yakkurs, etc., in the sampled rural communities. Practical implications An appropriate GMoU-intervention framework for sustainable promotion of NTFPs, domestication of NFTPs, improving harvesting and processing techniques are necessary to facilitate good security, reduction of poverty and improved livelihoods, particularly for the economically-marginalized and forest-dependent rural young people is imperative. Social implications Sustainable livelihoods of the forest-dependent rural young people in sub-Saharan Africa would require some focussed CSR interventions on the NTFPs for sustainable livelihood. Facilities pertaining to storage, grading, processing and value addition through the convergence of existing schemes and programmes should be promoted and created. MOCs are in a position to empower the rural young people with information about the market, policy and products to enable the rural people strategizing and accessing returns from NTFPs in sub-Saharan Africa. Originality/value This research adds to the literature on multinational enterprises’ CSR initiatives in developing countries and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of sustainable livelihood.


Author(s):  
Richard T. Corlett

More than a billion people inhabit Tropical East Asia today and negative impacts on ecosystems and wild species are pervasive. Historically, the ultimate driver has been human population growth, but while this is now slowing, there is no prospect of an early reduction in human impacts. Poverty, corruption, weak governance, and globalization are additional underlying drivers. The major proximal threats and their consequences—deforestation, habitat fragmentation, mining, urbanization and infrastructure development, logging and the collection of non-timber forest products, hunting and the wildlife trade, fires, invasive species, emerging infectious diseases, air pollution and nutrient enrichment, and anthropogenic climate change—are described in turn in this chapter. Finally, the problems of assessing and predicting extinctions are discussed.


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