Trees on farms in Bangladesh

Seasonal yields of wetland rice and wheat were measured under traditionally-managed field trees of five species in northwestern Bangladesh over four years. There was a variable depression of rice (Oryza sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) yields under all tree species. Yield depression overall ranged from 16% for the light-canopiedAcacia catechu to a little over 40% for the dense-canopiedArtocarpus heterophyllus andMangifera indica. Percentage yield depression was independent if agroecological zones, years, and location of the trees on the margins of centrally in a field. Yield depression in the dry season extended further in area than in the wet season; and for most tree species was to some extent alleviated by availability of irrigation. Farmers were well aware of and accepted crop yield losses under different tree species in return for the tree products. Trees with greatest impact on crops yielded products of highest value, mainly fruits and leaf fodder. Previous articles 1, 2 and 3 in the series appeared in Agroforestry Systems 25: 193–216, 31: 39–57 and 33: 231–247 respectively, with slightly different main titles.     

Farmer perspectives and practices regarding water pollution control programmes in Scotland

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) were introduced in response to the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) which states that all EU countries must reduce the nitrate in drinking water to a maximum of 50 mg/l. Farmers within a designated NVZ must adhere to strict rules over the timing and application of nitrogen from organic and inorganic sources. In Scotland, four NVZ regions were designated in 2003, covering around 14% of the land area and affecting over 12,000 farmers.This paper outlines the results of a recent study to understand farmer activities in response to and attitudes towards NVZ regulations in Scotland. A telephone survey was administered, obtaining a response of 184 farmers, supplemented by four workshops held in each NVZ region. This explored, both quantitatively and qualitatively, farmer behaviour and attitudes.The bulk of farmers have made little capital investment since the 2003 designation. Few farmers have invested in increased slurry storage facilities, nor begun to transport more slurry off-farm, claiming to have had enough storage capacity before designation to cover the imposed closed period.Farmer attitudes indicate a mostly negative view towards the perceived environmental benefits, water management and compliance. This can be explained by a number of concerns raised by farmers towards the scientific basis for designations. Furthermore, farmers viewed the restrictions placed on farming practices within NVZs as too inflexible.Given the mostly sceptical perceptions demonstrated by the farmers we call for a more integrated approach to water management at the catchment level. There is a role for policy-makers to provide clearer information over the science and purpose of the designations and also to invest in the transfer of technologies, in particular N-use software which is specifically tailored to NVZ regulations. Also, critical to this would be the development of transparent indicators of water quality. This may start to embed nitrogen pollution impacts within the farmer's cultural framework of decision-making.     

Understanding farmers' attitudes to land degradation: Some methodological considerations

The attitudes of farmers in the New England region of Australia are internally consistent in some cases, but in others seem inconsistent. Cluster analysis and discriminant analysis indicate that even internally inconsistent respondents can be divided into definable categories, and differences in response patterns relate significantly to other variables such as business structure, commodities being produced, attitudes to external influences in decision-making and to conservation generally. The results suggest that for policy-oriented research on attitudes to complex environmental issues, analysis should take account of data which do not necessarily conform to the requirements for unidimensional scale construction, but which can usefully be interpreted by analysing respondent clusters.     

Otters and Anglers Can Share the Stream! The Role of Social Science in Dissuading Negative Messaging About Reintroduced Predators

The reintroduction of mammalian predators often has been met with controversy among citizens near reintroduction sites primarily because of concern for predation of livestock, pets, and game species. The river otter (Lontra canadensis) is an example of a predator widely reintroduced in the United States that has in some cases been negatively depicted in the media because of its predatory habits (i.e., fish eating). The reintroduction of river otters in Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois was followed by negative media messages pertaining to otters preying on fish. In contrast, the reintroduction of river otters in Pennsylvania (PA) was accompanied by positive media portrayals and overwhelming public support. This opinion piece reviews factors that likely contributed to public acceptance of river otter reintroduction in PA, emphasizing the importance of applying social science theories and methodologies as a basis for determining and accurately depicting public attitudes toward the reintroduction of mammalian predators.     

高尔夫旅游者的环境态度和环境行为意向：专业化水平的调节作用

高尔夫旅游提供的产品和服务依赖于自然环境,因此可持续性环境管理的重要性日益凸显。本研究以高尔夫旅游者作为研究对象,通过潜在结构和内部一致性分析,运用专业化的概念,将高尔夫旅游者划分为初级、中级和高级3类,并进一步检验不同专业化水平的高尔夫旅游者的环境态度和环境行为意向之间的关系。研究发现:1)高级高尔夫旅游者的环境态度和环境行为意向得分高于初级和中级高尔夫旅游者;2)因果分析证实了环境态度和行为意向之间的关系,且这两个构念之间的关系在不同专业化水平的样本中均得到了检验;3)高尔夫旅游者的专业化水平对环境态度和行为意向并未起到调节作用。     

Role of farmers' attitudes in adoption of irrigation in Saskatchewan

Adoption of a new technology, such as irrigation, is a complex phenomenon. Several factors of economic and social nature contribute to the farm-level decisions affecting adoption. In this study, the role played by attitudes of potential adopters towards irrigation and its subsequent adoption on their farm unit was estimated. Two models were estimated, one incorporating only adopters' socio-economic characteristics, and the other, only their attitudes towards irrigation. Results suggest that adopters' attitude, particularly with respect to economic and environmental effects of irrigation, were significant determinants of their decision to proceed with adoption of irrigation, and have a role to play in adoption of irrigation over and above that explained by socio-economic characteristics. In particular, these results suggest that negative perceptions with respect to economics of irrigation and those related to its detrimental impacts on environmental quality, particularly through soil salinity, may be significant deterrents for adoption of irrigation. The study suggests that planning of large scale water development projects, particularly those involving irrigation, must be cognizant of attitudes of potential adopters. Furthermore, during the planning stages, more attention should be paid to the development of proper educational programs, as well as extension packages, to ensure that potential adopters formulate correct attitudes towards the new technology.     

Perception of the Influence of Home Videos on Youth Farmers in Makurdi,Nigeria

This study examined the effects of home video on youth farmers. Data collected from 175 randomly selected farmers in Makurdi using a structured questionnaire showed 84.6% watch at least once a week; 77.1% watch between 4–10 p.m. Farming is portrayed as tedious and unprofitable. The effects are reduced interest in farming (90.3%), rural-urban migration (66.9%), and abandonment (57.1%). The chi-square test showed significant influence of home videos on male youth farmers (χ² Cal = 102.14 ≥ χ Tab = 3.84, p =.05). The study recommends collaboration between food stakeholders and moviemakers to inject positive agricultural messages to stimulate interest among youth farmers for improved agricultural production and sustainability.     

Factors Influencing Consumers' Attitudes Toward Organic Agricultural Products

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing consumers' attitudes toward organic agricultural products. The study is correlational research. Results of regression analysis indicated that the variables of health awareness, knowledge of organic products, and consumers' motivations and age explained 32% of the changes in attitudes about organic products. The authors therefore recommend educational initiatives to increase knowledge and awareness and influence attitudes and consumption habits.     

Understanding Loggers' Perceptions

Abstract

Loggers play a critical role in managing forest resources. This study focused on understanding loggers' attitudes-information that we believe would be useful for improving communications and ultimately improving forest practices. Through interviews and a mail survey, four themes emerged, providing insight into loggers' attitudes: (1) Pennsylvania loggers are proud of their industry, (2) Public pressure is affecting the logging industry, (3) Loggers are concerned about the future, and (4) Loggers, foresters, and landowners need to improve their communications. Pennsylvania loggers are a diverse group possessing a wide range of attitudes. Listening to loggers is essential for achieving sustainable forestry.