Smallholder perceptions of agroforestry projects in Panama |
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Authors: | A Fischer L Vasseur |
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Affiliation: | (1) School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 1312 Robie St., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 3E2;(2) Present address: Ecology Action Centre, 1568 Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3J 2B3;(3) Department of Biology, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 3C3;(4) Present address: K. C. Irving Chair in Sustainable Development, University of Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada, E1A 3E9 |
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Abstract: | The potential effects of agroforestry systems on conservation and development have been well documented. Panama has seen a
substantial rise in the number of projects with an agroforestry component in the 1990s. There has been insufficient research
on the actual impacts of these projects on smallholders and of farmers' attitudes towards these systems. This study explores
the perceived socioeconomic and environmental impacts of five agroforestry projects in Panama. A total of 68 smallholders
were administered semi-structured interviews. In addition, 13 agroforestry experts from NGOs, government departments and research
institutes were interviewed, and their responses were compared with those of the smallholders. While the projects led to an
increase in the standard of living by providing wood products and fruit for domestic consumption, farm income levels generally
remained unchanged. This was due primarily to limited market development, the lack of marketing organizations and poor access
roads. In terms of environmental impacts, the farmers' responses suggested a slight decline in slash-and-burn agriculture,
and an increase in tree planting activities. Some environmental benefits were observed by farmers, including reduced soil
erosion, increased soil fertility, and improved quality and quantity of water sources. Nevertheless, slash-and-burn agriculture
was still the norm for the majority of farmers. Most farmers continued to harvest wood from primary and secondary growth to
meet their domestic wood requirements, rather than relying on trees planted in agroforestry projects. The main obstacles preventing
increased agroforestry adoption included insufficient agroforestry extension, inappropriate project design or management (such
as top-down management approaches, and the use of food incentives), smallholders' economic constraints, and larger policy
issues. Recommendations are proposed to improve project design and management, and to address the economic and policy constraints.
This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | agroforestry adoption environmental impacts nonparametric test socioeconomic impacts strcutured interviews |
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