Reforestation is being considered as a mitigation option to help combat the climate change predicted to result from atmospheric carbon dioxide pollution. Forestry-based carbon storage projects are being introduced in many tropical countries, and assessment of species-specific carbon storage potentials is made difficult by a lack of species-level information. This study focuses on teak (Tectona grandis), to measure many of the characteristics affecting the carbon storage potential both of the trees themselves and of the plantations they are in. Root-to-shoot ratio, above- and belowground biomass, as well as tissue carbon content were measured in 20-year-old teak trees in Panamanian plantations. A regression relating diameter at breast height (DBH) to total tree carbon storage for trees of various sizes was developed. To scale up to the plantation level, this regression was used to estimate the carbon storage of the trees of four plantations. Litter, undergrowth, and soil were studied to estimate carbon storage in these compartments. These estimates were collated to form a global estimate of carbon storage in Panamanian harvest age teak plantations. Various methods of calculation of carbon storage in short-rotation plantations are discussed. This work will allow greater precision in the assessment of carbon storage in individual plantations.

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South Africa is a water scarce country. With the increasing demand of water from other users, irrigation, as the largest water user, has to find ways to produce more per drop and meet the food demands of the growing population. Enhancing the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes (SHI) is one way of saving water since they are fast becoming the largest water users in South Africa and the world over. Performance in the smallholder sub-sector is reportedly below the expectations of stakeholders. However, performance in smallholder irrigation schemes is multi-dimensional and can be looked at from different perspectives. This study assessed the technical performance of the Mooi River Irrigation Scheme (MRIS) from the technical managers` and the farmers` points of view and integrated them into one to derive a comprehensive set of best management practices (BMPs) for the scheme. This was done acknowledging that the farmer is now the water manager in line with Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) and Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT). Three performance indicators related to water supply and delivery: conveyance efficiency, dependability of irrigation intervals between water applications and relative irrigation supply, and two agricultural performance indicators namely, output per unit irrigation supply and output per unit water consumed, were assessed during the spring and summer of the 2010/11 season. The field measurement method was used for the assessment of these indicators as opposed to the faster and more encompassing remote sensing method, due to resource constraints. The Velocity-area method was used to measure flow-rates in canals and crop water demands were estimated from FAO Cropwat 8.0 and Aquacrop 3.1. The results show an overall scheme conveyance efficiency of 86.4%, a maximum dependability of irrigation intervals between water applications of 2.57 in spring and a scheme relative irrigation supply of 1.48. Agricultural performance indicators, output per unit irrigation supply and water productivity per unit crop evapotranspiration (ET), were found to be 0.64 kg/m3 and 5.37 kg/m3 on average for cabbage, respectively. Farmers` satisfaction with taking an irrigation service can be used as a measure of the scheme`s performance. A questionnaire was administered among farmers to gather their views on the performance and to determine the factors that significantly influence their satisfaction status with taking the irrigation service at MRIS. Information collected from the questionnaire include age, gender, irrigation training, timeliness of water delivery, water distribution among the blocks, farming experience, farmer involvement in inspection of irrigation infrastructure and maintenance, among others. Farmers` were also asked for suggestions on improving the performance of their scheme. Their responses were analysed using a multinomial logit model. Results showed that 57% of the farmers are satisfied with using the irrigation service at MRIS, 30% are not satisfied, while 13% are neutral. Eight factors were found to be statistically significant in influencing the farmers` satisfaction status namely: location with respect to the water diversion point, location within a block from the main canal, age of the farmer, education level attained by the farmer, farming experience, the number of plots a farmer owns, fairness of water distribution across the blocks and the number of days a farmer accesses water The technical performance indicators assessed and the suggestions from the farmers on the way to improve performance of MRIS allowed the selection of the BMPs for the scheme. A set of seven BMPs based on farmer suggestions was derived. BMPs used as a guideline. The farmers were also tasked with the ranking of the derived BMPs according to their preference. The collected data was then ranked through an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results show that establishment of and adherence to an irrigation schedule was the most preferred BMP by the farmers, while volumetric measurement of irrigation water used by each block was the least preferred. This study concludes that the performance of MRIS is comparable to other schemes and that farmers are aware of the problems bedevilling their scheme. It is also concluded that the performance of the scheme meets the farmers`, the key stakeholders, expectations and that irrigation scheduling is the most preferred BMP. The study recommends that farmers be more involved in performance assessments and management of their schemes. It is crucial to ensure that the recommended BMPs are acceptable to the farmers in the scheme. The best way to achieve this is by allowing farmers to participate in policy formulation and decision making. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Coffee production in Costa Rica has brought prosperity to many small farmers, but conflicts of interest with the companies which process and market coffee are still a problem. In addition, producers and processors are plagued by the periodic market cycles of agricultural commodities. Various agencies have promoted cooperatives to help small farmers deal with these problems, but they often fail due to poor management and lack of participation. / This thesis, a multi-layered study of coffee production, processing, and marketing, examines how household producers manage the constraints and opportunities posed by the international market, the Costa Rican state, and the coffee tree itself. A comparative analysis between cooperative and private coffee processors; between two rural communities; and among households in these communities provides the ethnographic context in which the effectiveness of cooperatives as mediating institutions between producers and the world market is analyzed.

Magistrantūros studijų baigiamasis darbas, 72 puslapiai, 21 paveikslas, 20 lentelių, 95 literatūros šaltiniai, 2 priedai, lietuvių kalba. PRASMINIAI ŽODŽIAI: ekologiniai ūkiai, ekonominė nauda. Tyrimo objektas – paramos ekonominė nauda ekologiniams ūkiams. Tyrimo tikslas – įvertinti paramos pagal Ekologinio ūkininkavimo programą ekonominę naudą ūkiams. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1) teoriškai ištirti ekologinio ūkininkavimo vietą agrarinės aplinkosaugos priemonių sistemoje; 2) teoriškai išanalizuoti ekologinio ūkininkavimo reikšmę agrarinės aplinkosaugos priemonių sistemoje ekonominiu, socialiniu bei aplinkosaugos požiūriais; 3) nustatyti, kokią įtaką šalies ūkininkų ūkių pajamoms ir pelnui turi parama ekologiniams ūkiams; 4) remiantis apklausos duomenimis, įvertinti ekologinio ūkininkavimo ekonominę naudą Kėdainių rajono ūkiams. Tyrimo metodai: mokslinės literatūros, dokumentų ir teisės aktų analizė ir sintezė, statistinių duomenų analizės, grupavimo, palyginimo metodai, grafinis vaizdavimo būdas. Detalesniam tyrimui, siekiant įvertinti ekologinio ūkininkavimo ekonominę naudą ūkiams, atlikta atvejo analizė,– apklausti Kėdainių rajono ekologinių ūkių savininkai (atlikta jų anketinė apklausa). Tyrimo rezultatai: • pirmojoje darbo dalyje teoriškai išnagrinėta ekologinio ūkininkavimo vieta agrarinės aplinkosaugos priemonių sistemoje, išanalizuota ekologinio ūkininkavimo reikšmė agrarinės aplinkosaugos priemonių sistemoje ekonominiu, socialiniu bei aplinkosaugos požiūriais; • antrojoje... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The final work of university Master studies: 72 pages, 21 figures, 20 tables, 95 references, 2 appendices, in Lithuanian. KEY WORDS: organic farms, economic benefits. Research object – economic benefits of the support to organic farms. Research aim – to evaluate economic benefits of the support according to the organic farming scheme to farms. Objectives: 1) to investigate theoretically the place of organic farming in the system of agro-environmental measures; 2) to analyze the economic, social and environmental aspects of organic farming in the system of agro-environmental measures; 3) to determine the impact of organic farming support on farm income and profits; 4) to assess the economic benefits of organic farming to farms in Kėdainiai district. Research methods: analysis and synthesis of scientific literature, documents and legislation, statistical data collection and analysis, comparison, graphical presentation, questionnaire. Research results: • The first part examines foreign and Lithuanian literature on the place of organic farming in the system of agro-environmental measures at theoretical level, analyzes the economic, social and environmental aspects of organic farming; • The second part determines the methods to be used to evaluate the economic benefits of organic farming; • The third part evaluates economic benefits of organic farming to farms: in the country – according to FADN 2006 – 2010 data, in Kėdainiai district – according to the questionnaire data (they... [to full text]

Parasite control is important to horse health and horse owners should feel highly concerned about the proper treatment of parasites. In the past 30 years, veterinary science has made important advances in treating parasites and provided new products and strategies to optimize treatment and prevention. However, horse owners and managers have been slow to adopt these new recommendations. This study investigates why the transition has not occurred as expected. It examines issues related to the decision-making process of horse owners and managers as they relate to deworming strategies. In addition, it investigates current deworming approaches as well as attitudes towards alternative parasite control strategies, and tries to describe the financial considerations corresponding to each strategy. To this end, a questionnaire was distributed to Thoroughbred farms in Kentucky. The first part of the questionnaire examined the actual approaches of farm managers and characterized the Kentucky Thoroughbred farms. Most farm managers appear to be concerned about drug resistance in parasites and incorporated veterinarian advice in defining their deworming program; however, almost three-quarters of them were still following the traditional rotational deworming program. Based on a conjoint experiment, we were able to evaluate the willingness-to-pay of farm managers for different attributes of a deworming strategy – time and effort spent, decrease in health risks, drug resistance in parasites, and price. The study showed that farm managers were willing to pay a premium for a strategy that is guaranteed “non-resistant” and that decreased health risk by 5%, while they expected a discount for a strategy that requires much time and effort.

Background: Wind turbines are a form of renewable energy, which generate electricity from wind energy, a practice dating back over 100 years. More recently, large-scale wind energy developments have started to employ one or several industrial wind turbines, which produce the majority of wind energy in Ontario. The production of electricity from the movement of industrial wind turbine motor blades creates both mechanical and aerodynamic noise. This type of environmental noise is a growing public health concern, especially for residents living close to industrial wind turbines. A body of evidence now exists to suggest that industrial wind turbine noise can impair health and contribute to annoyance and sleep disturbance. However, in Ontario, little is known about how industrial wind turbines impact people living in their vicinity. Objectives: This investigation was a cross-sectional study involving eight Ontario communities that contain greater than ten industrial wind turbines. The objectives of this study were to explore the association between proximity to industrial wind turbines and self-reported health effects, specifically quality of life (both physical and mental health) and sleep disturbance, in residents living close to wind turbines. Dose-response relationships were also explored in an attempt to investigate acceptable exposure levels and appropriate setback distances for industrial wind turbines. Methods: Eight wind farms in Ontario were selected for analysis. For this cross-sectional study, the ???Quality of Life and Renewable Energy Technologies Study??? survey was used to measure the impact of industrial wind turbines on health. Using Canada Post???s Unaddressed Admail Service, surveys were sent to 4,876 residences near industrial wind turbines in these eight communities. Survey responses were sent back to the University of Waterloo and data from the surveys were used for analysis. Descriptive analyses were performed and multiple regression models were run to investigate the effect of the main independent variable of interest (distance to nearest industrial wind turbine) on the various outcome variables. Descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations were performed on a number of dependent and independent variables including age, sex, time in home, number of industrial wind turbines within 2,000 meters and sleep and health outcomes. Results: In total, 412 surveys were returned (8.45% response rate); 16 of these survey respondents did not provide their home address. Therefore, 396 surveys were included in the analysis. The mean self-reported distances of survey respondents to wind farms was 2,782 meters +-3,950 meters (range: 0.40-55,000 meters). The mean calculated distance from residence to the closest industrial wind turbine was 4,523 meters +-4,420 meters (range: 316-22,661 meters). The difference between the calculated and perceived distance measurements was statistically significant (P<0.001) with survey respondents reporting that they live, on average, 1,741 meters closer to wind farms than they actually do. The relationship between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and ln(distance) was found to be statistically significant (P=0.01) when controlling for age, gender and county, meaning that as distance increased (move further away from an industrial wind turbine), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index decreased (i.e. sleep improved) in a logarithmic relationship. Among the eight Wind Turbine Syndrome index variables, the relationship between vertigo and ln(distance) was statistically significant (P<0.001) when controlling for age, gender, and county. Additionally, the relationship between tinnitus and ln(distance) approached statistical significance (P=0.08) when controlling for age, gender and county. Both vertigo and tinnitus were worse among participants living closer to industrial wind turbines. Conclusion: Study findings suggest that industrial wind turbines could have an impact on health. Using a sample of rural Ontario residents (although not necessarily representative of the target population), this study explored the quality of life (both physical and mental health) and sleep disturbance of residents living in the vicinity of industrial wind turbines. However, because of study limitations, there are many questions still to be answered before firm conclusions can be drawn. Based on the findings of this study it is recommended that further studies be carried out to examine the effects of low-level stressors, such as industrial wind turbine noise, on health. Specifically, study findings suggest that future research should focus on the effects of industrial wind turbine noise on sleep disturbance and symptoms of inner ear problems. Although the study findings could suggest that there is a possible association between various health outcomes and how far someone lives from an industrial wind turbine, it is important to remember that there are limitations to these conclusions.

Vis daugiau žmonių Lietuvoje verčiasi ekologiniu ūkininkavimu, tam įtakos turi ir Europos Sąjungos skiriama parama, kurios suma 2007 - 2013 metų laikotarpiu siekė beveik 8 milijardus Lt. Šio darbo tikslas – nustatyti Utenos rajono teritorijas, kuriose pagal dabartiniu metu Lietuvoje galiojančius teisinius reglamentus galima žemės ūkio veiklos plėtra. Darbo tikslui pasiekti buvo panaudota programinė įranga ArcGIS. Analizuojant ūkinės veiklos plėtros galimybes (nustant plotus) Utenos rajone, susiduriama su daugeliu keblumų – šiuos keblumus greitai, vaizdžiai ir su mažiausiom darbo ir laiko sąnaudom leidžia išspręsti erdvinė analizė. Pirmiausia buvo nustatyti 5 kriterijai pagal dabartiniu metu Lietuvoje galiojančią įstatyminę bazę kur ūkinės veiklos plėtra ribojama, arba negalima. Iš analizavus Utenos rajono žemės našumo balus nustatyta, kad 36 plotai (našumo balas yra 31,1-45) tiktų ekologinio ūkininkavimo plėtrai, o tai sudaro 41,8 proc. viso rajono ploto. Įvertinus kelių ir jų apsaugines zonas nustatyta, kad Utenos rajone kelių tinklo ir jų apsaugos zonų užimamas plotas yra 4315,08 ha, o tai sudaro 2,1 proc., ežerai su jų apsauginėm zonom užima 4,36 proc., upės ir jų apsaugos zonos užima 2,43 proc, geležinkeliai ir jų apsaugos zonos 0,18 proc. viso rajono ploto. Norint nustatyti ekologinio ūkininkavimui galimus plotus būtina įvertinti Utenos rajone esančias saugomas teritorijas ir apsaugos zonas aplink jas, miškų plotus ir urbanizuotus plotus. Saugomos teritorijos ir jų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Agricultural development possibilities in Utena district More and more people in Lithuania engaged in organic farming. This is because of influence by the European Union which support amount of 2007 - 2013 period was nearly 8 billion.litas. The goal - to identify areas of Utena district in which according to current legal regulations in Lithuania this type of agriculture development is possible. To reach the goal special software “ArcGIS” was used. The analysis of the economic possibilities of business development (by defining areas) in Utena district, can cause many problems. These difficulties can be quickly and with least work and time expenses visually solved by spatial analysis. At first it was set 5 criteria by currently existing legal framework in Lithuania where the development of economic activities is limited or unavailable. After analyzed the Utena district land productivity scores showed that 36 areas ( performance score of 31.1 to 45 ) would be suitable for the development of organic farming , which accounts for 41.8 percent of total area. The evaluation of the road and their buffer zones showed that the Utena district road network and buffer zones occupied an area of 4315.08 ha representing 2.1 percent. Lakes with their buffers occupy 4.36 percent, rivers and their protection area occupied by 2.43 percent, railways and their buffer zones 0.18 percent of total area. In order to determine the potential of organic farming in the area it is... [to full text]

During the last two decades two major government policies aimed at bringing structural changes in the system of land tenure in Iran have been implemented. The first was the Land Reform of 1962-66, which transferred the ownership of the land from the large landlords to the peasant and tribal producers. But during the late-sixties and the seventies a second major structural change in the system of land tenure was proposed by the government, this time aimed at the destruction of the already existing peasant, tribal and capitalist producers and the creation of very large-scale agricultural corporations. As the main objective of this policy was to bring about substantial increases in agricultural production and productivities, it is the purpose of this dissertation to examine whether these very large-scale corporations are more productive systems than the already existing autonomous producers. As the proponents of the very large-scale farms argue in terms of gains from economies of scale in very large units and of the superiority of the trained and skilled corporate managers to the family managed peasant farmers, in this dissertation an attempt has been made to examine the effect on productivity of (a) farm size and (b) management system. The following procedure has been adopted to examine the subject. [continued in text ...]

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-108). / xiv, 108 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm