School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses
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ItemImpacts of national park on local communities : a case study of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Bhutan( 2006)Bhutan has a rich and varied biodiversity that has both regional and global significance. It has been declared one of the world's ten most important global biodiversity `hotspots'. In order to protect and preserve this mega-diversity, Bhutan has devoted 26 per cent of its total land area to designated Protected Areas (PAs). Another nine per cent is set aside for biological corridors connecting all PAs in the country. Empirical evidence worldwide indicates that the establishment of PAs such as National Parks can impact on populations through restrictions on traditional resource use and crop and livestock losses to wild animals. No studies have yet been conducted in Bhutan but anecdotal evidence suggests that similar stories of constraint and restriction are emerging in the country. The aim of this research is to explore how the establishment of PAs in Bhutan is impacting on local residents. Using a qualitative case study approach, this study explores the perceptions of villagers, local elected leaders and government officials residing in two districts of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP). The results suggest that declaring a National Park has been perceived by rural communities as yielding a number of negative consequences. These include the restriction of access to traditionally-used resources and increased depredation of crops and livestock by Park animals. However, many respondents expressed their support for the protection of remaining natural resources for the benefit of future generations. Residents also recognise and appreciate the support provided by the Park management in the form of supplies such as seeds, seedlings, breeding bulls, machinery and budget for school and clinic improvement. Respondents expressed their desire for continued or even increased support in future. Residents' perceptions of the Park and its impacts appear to be particularly influenced by their level of dependence on natural resources, family wealth and proximity to markets and Park offices. The study also shows that the whole process of Park conceptualisation, establishment and management is seen as having been imposed. Residents do not understand how the Park was conceptualised and established. Their participation in Park related planning and decision-making processes is limited to small elites. Furthermore, the authorities of JSWNP are seen to be placing too much emphasis on the enforcement of Park rules, to deter people from extracting natural resources. This has led to resentment among the local residents. Enforcement of rules is also said to be inconsistent across the villages studied. While there is some concern amongst residents about the imposition of restriction, there exists a strong local conservation ethic and traditional resource management institutions in rural communities within the Park. However, these are largely unacknowledged by conventional conservation strategies, which are based on western scientific knowledge. The conventional conservation strategies need rethinking. They provide limited opportunity for long-term success of the Park as they disengage local residents from the conservation processes. Successful Park management will require a shift from an imposed conservation ethic - which retains external control of the management and end-uses of Park resources - to an approach which devolves more responsibility and decision-making authority to local communities. This would mean increasing engagement with local people, a shift from `policing' to monitoring and research, an acknowledgement of the local conservation ethic and the provision of alternative economic opportunities. Finally, more research is needed to increase our understanding of residents' perceptions and attitudes about National Parks, the ecological footprints of residents on Park resources and the role of local conservation ethic and institutions. Such understanding will enable future policy and decision makers to develop informed decisions and policies that are more likely to engage local people in the conservation process.
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ItemThe economic evaluation of forage research results( 2004)Three economic analyses were conducted on the results of dairy forage production experiments undertaken in Victoria. The first analysis investigated the level of pasture production increases that would have to be achieved to warrant the investment in different soil modification options. This analysis took pasture production data and using a computer program "UDDER" (Larcombe 1990) generated farm data which was then applied to development budgets. The increase in pasture growth rate required was such that it is unlikely that investment in the soil modification systems tested here will produce a satisfactory return on investment. The second analysis investigated the use of different pasture species combinations on a dairy farm in northern Victoria. A linear programming model was developed that balanced the energy requirements of the milking herd with the energy supplied from pasture and supplements. The results showed that the most profitable mix of pasture depended on the energy supply profile of the pasture and the requirements of the herd. The proportion of autumn and spring calving cows in the herd in part determined the most profitable pasture mix. The effect of grazing management on profit was the subject of the third study. A farm model was constructed that balanced the energy, protein and neutral detergent fibre requirements of the milking herd with that supplied by pasture and supplements and optimised operating profit. The results of a grazing trial conducted in south-west Victoria were entered into the model and the operating profits for each treatment compared. The results suggested that while Operating profit was related to total pasture consumption, the timing of the pasture consumption impacted on operating profit. The results also suggested that grazing frequency may have affected operating profit more than grazing intensity.
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ItemPrice risk management in the Australian cotton industry( 2004)Over 95 per cent of Australian cotton producers have attempted to manage price risk at some time, through a broad range of management strategies. The findings of this study suggest that the cotton industry has to date, embraced the principals of price risk management more so than other agricultural commodity industries in Australia. Nearly 60 per cent of Australian cotton producers stated that price risk management had a positive effect on their farm business. Findings from the study suggest that price risk management is only one of a suite of business management tools, but when implemented strategically, it can lead to positive outcomes in terms of business planning and ultimately through increased profitability. A lack of understanding of price risk management and, more specifically, recent currency exchange losses and high production risks were the key contributing factors for the 21 per cent of producers who stated that price risk management had a negative impact on their business. Approximately 10 per cent of cotton producers operated dryland production systems. These producers often incurred a broader range of production risks, and the resulting production uncertainty inhibited effective use of some price risk management strategies. One in four cotton producers had an agriculture-related tertiary qualification, yet few (around five per cent) had undertaken any form of specialist price risk management training. While some cotton producers are competent managers of price risk, the primary conclusion from the study is that much of the current uptake and effectiveness of price risk management in the Australian cotton industry generally, is somewhat limited by a lack of producer experience, confidence and understanding of price risk management principles and processes.
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