Non-project Farmers Research Articles

Livelihood benefits and challenges of community reforestation in Timor Leste: implications for smallholder carbon forestry schemes

ABSTRACT This paper describes the emerging livelihood benefits and challenges of community reforestation in Timor-Leste and discusses implications for smallholder carbon forestry schemes. Social research was conducted in an upland area of central Timor Leste with farmers who have been planting trees since 2012 for soil stabilisation, timber, biodiversity enhancement and potential carbon income. A semi-structured survey of 40 tree planting households across six villages was conducted in 2017 to determine the perceived benefits and challenges of reforestation. Additional in-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted in 2018 with 5 village leaders, 8 project farmers and 10 non-project farmers to gain a deeper understanding of some of the issues raised in the survey. Farmers reported that the benefits of tree plantations were income from tree payments from an NGO; investment in children’s education; and improved biodiversity. The challenges to reforestation included livestock damage; lack of water; insects; weeds; and distance to the tree plantations. We conclude that community-based reforestation projects in Timor Leste have the potential to contribute to smallholders’ livelihoods through direct carbon payments and ecosystem services. However, household equity in terms of land ownership, labour, carbon income and social development need to be addressed.

Role of ‘one house one farm’ approach to improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers of ethnic and non-ethnic communities in Bangladesh

One House One Farm’ (OHOF) was a poverty alleviation project launched by the Government of Bangladesh in 2009 to reduce poverty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The research sought to investigate the impacts of OHOF project using the livelihood framework. This project was launched in Nalitabari sub-division of Sherpur district in Bangladesh as a pilot one with emphasize on smallholder farmers from ethnic and non-ethnic communities. A total of 148 households (68 from the ethnic community and 80 households from the non-ethic community) were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule administered through a face-to-face interview technique. The findings certitude that livelihood capitals such as human, natural, physical, social and financial of project farmers were found improved as compared to non-project farmers. The status of improved livelihood and overall improved livelihood outcomes for the non-ethnic project farmers were comparatively better than that of ethnic members. Since vulnerability contexts were different in each community, the project has intervened accordingly to reduce the extent of vulnerability. Though OHOF approach has improved the overall livelihood situation of smallholder project farmers and reduce their vulnerability to an extent, the project interventions were not equal for studied communities. Moreover, the project personnel were reported with more inclined to provide opportunities for the non-ethnic project farmers than that of ethnic ones.

Relative profitability of farming systems research and development (FSRD) project farmers and non-project farmers of integrated farming systems in Tangail district of Bangladesh

Integrated farming system modifies the commercial farming system which ensures higher food production to equate the demand, environmental protection through effective recycling of waste and increased farm income. The present study was undertaken to examine the relative profitability of FSRD project farmers and non-project farmers of integrated farming system. Eighty (80) farmers (40 from FSRD project and 40 from non-project farmers) were selected from Kalihati Upazila under Tangail district of Bangladesh. In the study area, vegetables, fish and poultry enterprises were integrated under technological intervention. The waste of poultry farm was used in fish production and the soil of the pond was used in vegetables cultivation. Per hectare net returns from integrated farming were estimated at Tk513458.10 and Tk256511.90for FSRD project farmers and non-project farmers, respectively. Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was 1.66 for FSRD project farmers and1.37 for non-project farmers. In functional analysis, human labor, fingerling, feed, fertilizer, insecticides costs in case of FSRD project farmers and human labor, feed, salt and lime costs in case of non-project farmers had significant impact on per hectare return of integrated farming. FSRD project farmers were more profitable than the non-project farmers. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is great scope to improve the overall economic condition of farmers through introducing integrated farming system in Tangail District of Bangladesh.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(1): 117-122, April 2018

Indigenous women participation behavior under ‘one house one farm’ project of Mymensingh in Bangladesh

The study was conducted to assess the participation behavior of indigenous women by the adoption of ‘one house one farm’ project in Mymensingh district. The respondents were divided into two groups i.e., project farmers and non-project farmers. The study revealed that the impact of the project was very much satisfactory in terms of education, occupation, farm holding, etc. The participation index was used as a measure of women’s participation level in the ‘one house one farm’ which indicated that 88.0% of the project women obtained a score of 60.0. The results also revealed that the age of the head of households, numbers of trainings imparted to each household, operational holding, frequency of the visit of BRDB personnel, effectiveness of local institutions and off-farm income had significant influence on the participation behavior of the indigenous women. Although, indigenous farmers reported some strengths and opportunities which helped them to cope with the unwanted situation, government and the concerned authorities should come forward to overcome the weaknesses and threats as well.Progressive Agriculture 28 (2): 130-138, 2017

Farmers’ livelihood through ‘one house one farm’ approach in selected areas of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh

The study was attempted to analyze the impact of ‘one house one farm’ approach on farmers’ livelihood status in some selected areas of Mymensingh district. As the study was based on comparing the farmers’ livelihood, a total of 90 farmers where 45 farmers were selected randomly who were under this project and the rest of 45 farmers were selected who were not under this project from Bhabkhali, Char Nilakshmia and Char Ishwardia union under sadar upazila. The primary data were collected through direct interview method from the selected farmers using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed with a combination of descriptive statistics and econometric analyses like logistic regression and propensity score matching methods to attain the objectives. Sex distribution, family size, training exposure and farm income have positive and significant impact on the adoption of this project. Based on Kernel and Radius matching methods, the average farm household income of the project farmer was increased by the amount of Tk. 28,561.4 to Tk. 16,445.6 per year compared to non-project farmers which is statistically significant at 1% level. Overall employment opportunities were increased by the duration of 22 to 36 man-days for the project farmers compared to non-project farmers. Daily per capita calorie intake from different food items was higher for project farmers than the non-project farmers. The access on human capital, social capital, natural capital, physical capital and financial capital for project farmers were increased by 29.5%, 25.7%, 9.0%, 18.3% and 22.3%, respectively due to the adoption of ‘one house one farm’ approach. The study also identified some problems faced by the farmers for adopting the project and probable solutions related to those problems. If these problems could be solved within a reasonable time, farmers would be more enthusiastic to adopt the project idea for earning more income which helps them to change their livelihood status ultimately.SAARC J. Agri., 14(2): 90-106 (2016)

Farmers’ Perception about ‘One House One Farm’ Project and Its Impact on Enterprise Profitability in Selected Areas of Mymensingh District

The study was conducted to identify farmers’ perception about ‘one house one farm’ project and its impact on enterprise profitability in Mymensingh district. A total of 90 farmers were selected randomly as the sample of the study for collecting necessary primary data. Forty five farmers under this project and another forty five non-project farmers were selected. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics (i.e., mean, percentages, ratios, etc.), perception index, profitability analysis were employed to attain the objectives. The overall perception of project farmers about ‘one house one farm’ project was moderate. On the contrary, the perception was slightly moderate for the non-project farmers. The benefit cost ratio was higher for every production enterprise for project farmers than non-project farmers except for large animal rearing. The study identified some problems faced by the farmers in adopting the project as well as who were not adopting this project and probable solutions relating to those problems were also documented.The Agriculturists 2016; 14(1) 43-53

Forage growing as an incentive to improve smallholder beef production in Cambodia

A major challenge for large ruminant improvement projects in developing countries is smallholder farmer engagement that promotes the value of knowledge in informed decision making. Most large ruminant smallholder farmers in Cambodia are considered to be livestock keepers and will become livestock producers only if they recognise the production and financial benefits from improved health and management practices. The benefits of growing and feeding five introduced forage species was investigated as a potential entry point for smallholder farmer engagement in southern Cambodia. The mean chemical composition, digestibility and estimated metabolisable energy (ME; MJ/kg DM) of introduced forages at 30 days after first harvest were comparable to published values. An initial establishment of 52 fodder plots covering 2.6 ha in 2008 expanded to 1306 plots covering 45 ha, including non-project farmers from surrounding areas. The establishment of forage plots in high-intervention project villages provided an improvement in average daily liveweight gain of cattle and saved farmers up to 2 h labour per day. This strategy provided a platform for increased uptake and adoption of livestock health and production interventions.

Impact of the Anambra State Fadama Project Phase -1 on the Socio-economic Life of the Rural Farmers

The study was undertaken to evaluate the Fadama phase-one vegetable production project of the Anambra State Agricultural Development Project (ADP). Data for the study were collected from 160 vegetable growers (80 project farmers and 80 non-project farmers), through the use of a set of structured interview schedule. Percentage, mean scores, factor analysis, t-test, and chi-square statistics were used in the data analysis. The result of the study indicated that telfaria and okra production were most preferred to other vegetables during dry and wet seasons, respectively, mainly due to their high income generating capacity, high market demand, high yielding capacity and usefulness and readily availability to the family. The project made some appreciable socio-economic impact on the growers and the socio-economic aspirations of the Project Farmers (PFs) shifted from personal to farm improvement for fadama vegetable production. The major constraints to the full implementation of the project objectives in the area included post-harvest, logistics and poor fadama incentive problems. It was therefore, recommended that there should be timely and adequate provisions of fadama inputs and infrastructure; and that low cost but improved technologies for storage, transportation, processing and marketing of fadama vegetable produce should be introduced by the National Fadama Development Project (NFDP) management.

Farmers' adoption of improved vegetable production practices under the National Fadama Phase One Development Project in Anambra State of Nigeria

and gross margin analysis technique were used in the data analysis. The result of the study indicates that majority (70.0%) of the project farmers (PFs) were males, while the majority (25.5%) of the nonproject farmers (NPFs) were females. The vegetable growers had relatively large household size and long Fadama farming experience. The mean hectarage of Fadama vegetable farm size of PFs and NPFs were 0.87 and 0.63 ha, respectively. The Fadama vegetable production contributed 30.5 and 25.8% to the annual income of the PFs and NPFs, respectively. Telfaria and Okro production were the most preferred vegetables during dry and wet seasons, respectively, mainly due to high income generating capacity, high market demand, high yielding capacity, usefulness and availability to the family. Only improved vegetable seed, manure application and harvesting method were adopted. The study also revealed that the vegetables under study were profitable to the PFs, especially, during the project life.

Resource use efficiency among beneficiaries and non beneficiaries of a rural development project in Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the benefits of the Katsina State Agricultural and Community Development Project (KSACDP) on income of project and non-project beneficiaries. Data were obtained from 460 selected project and non-project farmers (230 each) in 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina State. The Cobb Douglas production function was best fitted and was employed in data analysis. The result of the study shows a high efficiency ratio for land, hired labour, fertilizer, seeds and pesticides in the project area. This implies that increase in the use of these factors would result in a correspondent increase in output of project farmers. However, the efficiency ratio of land, hired labour, fertilizer, seed, and pesticides in the non-project areas were low. An increase in the use of these inputs would likely result in a decrease in output of the farmers. The study revealed that farmers prefer mixed cropping to sole cropping which could be a security against crop failure. arious sizes of farm lands were cultivated. The lowest hectares cultivated (0.8 and 0.5 hectares) and the highest land cultivated was 6.5 and 4.2 hectares in the project and nonproject areas respectively. The variations in size of individual farms in the two areas could be due to varying socio-economic factors such as level of education, access to inputs and credit facilities. The total farm incomes were N42,476,.96, and N 36,932.95 per hectare of each crop in the project and non-project areas respectively while the total costs of production in both areas were N22, 336.84 and N19, 881.55 per hectare of each crop respectively. The net farm income for both areas was N 20,140.12 and N 17, 051.41 per hectare of each crop respectively. It could be concluded that project and non project beneficiaries break-even in their farming activities. Keywords : Rural Development Project, Beneficiaries. Agrosearch Vol. 8 (1&2) 2006: pp. 47-58

Palestinian Refugee Resettlement: Lessons from the East Ghor Canal Project

1. Purpose and method The problem of the Palestinian refugees is a major obstacle to peace in the Middle East. Israel argues that the refugees should be resettled somewhere in the Arab world, since it took in equivalent numbers of Jews from Iraq, Morocco, Yemen, and the other Arab countries.' But the Arabs insist that the refugees should be repatriated rather than resettled, since they have a historic right to the land and left it only because of Zionist terrorism in 1948.2 Although they stress the refugees' attachment to Palestine, the Arabs seem to fear what the Israelis assume: that refugee resettlement will reduce the refugees' desire to return to their homes. The purpose of this study is to test this assumption, i.e. to determine whether or not refugee resettlement does in fact reduce the refgees' attachment to Palestine, through an analysis of the East Ghor Canal project. This project was, prior to its abandonment soon after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the largest refugee resettlement project in the Arab world. The question is whether or not it was successful. Did it raise the refugees' levels of productivity and income? If so, did ft reduce their desire to return to their homes? If not, why not? What lessons can be learned about refugee resettlement from an analysis of the East Ghor Canal project? Data to answer these questions will be drawn primarily from a survey research project which I directed in 1966, five years after the opening of the Canal.3 Of the total sample of 278 respondents drawn from the first section of the project at least 216 were Palestinian refugees.4 Of these, 71 were project farmers and 145 were nonproject farmers. All interviewing was done in Arabic, by two trained and experienced Palestinian interviewers, under my direct supervision. These survey data were supplemented with information from a variety of sources: interviews with Jordanian administrators and their American advisors, research in the UNRWA archives in Jerusalem and the files of both the USAID mission and the East Ghor Canal Authority in Amman, and six months of anthropological field work in the project area.