An investigation into the current utilisation and prospective of renewable energy resources and technologies in Libya

With the increase in energy demand and the international drive to reduce carbon emission from fossil fuel, there has been a drive in many oil-rich countries to diversify their energy portfolio and resources. Libya is currently interested in utilising its renewable energy resources in order to reduce the financial and energy dependency on oil reserves. This paper investigates the current utilisation and the future of renewable energy in Libya. Interviews have been conducted with managers, consultants and decision makers from different government organisations including energy policy makers, energy generation companies and major energy consumers. The results indicate that Libya is rich in renewable energy resources but in urgent need of a more comprehensive energy strategy and detailed implementation including reasonable financial and educational investment in the renewable energy sector

Imperial College London SCARU Delegation Visit to Malaysia

This brief report outlines the purpose and outcome of SCARU delegation visit to Malaysia. The SCARU delegation consisted of Dr David Webber (President, International Self-Care Foundation) and Dr Austen El-Osta (Director, Self-Care Academic Research Unit). The visit was kindly supported by the British High Commission (BHC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia under the auspices of BHC Science & Innovation Officer Ms Poorani Krishnan

Determinants of Financial Performance of Commercial Dairy Farms.

Data from the 1993 Farm Costs and Returns Survey were used in a multi-variate analysis framework to determine factors associated with the financial performance of commercial dairy farm operations. Statistical equivalency tests revealed regional differences in the way extensive indebtedness, size of operation, and labor cost affect net farm incomes. Regional differences were also found in terms of how milk production per cow, per-unit cost of purchased feed, and level of adoption of capital intensive technologies affect per-unit returns. Examination of the variation in the net farm income of commercial dairy farms using the method of coefficients of separate determination identified the size of the operation, regardless of the location of the farm business, as the factor contributing the most to the variability in net farm income. On a per-unit-of-returns basis, factors found most important in explaining the variation in net returns per hundredweight of milk sold were cow's productivity, and per-cow forage production and purchased feed costs.financial performance, net farm income, technological adoption, Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient, Agricultural Finance, Livestock Production/Industries,

RISK MANAGEMENT THROUGH ENTERPRISE DIVERSIFICATION: A FARM-LEVEL ANALYSIS

Enterprise diversification is a self-insuring strategy used by farmers to protect against risk. This paper examines the impact of various farm, operator, and household characteristics on the level of on-farm diversification. Results provide evidence that larger farms are more specialized. Also, farmers who participate in off-farm income and farms located near urban areas are less likely to diversify. Additionally, results also show a significant positive relationship between diversification and farm/crop insurance and sole proprietorships. Finally, there is also evidence that farms that received government payments are more diversified than their counterparts.Farm Management, Risk and Uncertainty,

Stewards of Paradise: Tools for Sustainable Tourism to Empower Indigenous and Traditional Communities

The major objective of my Masters of Environmental Studies (MES) research has been to identify, in a participatory approach the best strategies for the implementation of a sustainable tourism project. This was done in collaboration with the communities of the Corridor as the project it concerned with their region. This paper identifies challenges facing the local communities and hindering their aspirations. It also put forward the proposed project (Appendix A) as a road map to address those challenges and to build on opportunities leading to the production of the above-mentioned outcomes. The following specific objectives are established as the guidelines of the research: • to serve as a testament to the community needs and aspirations as expressed during the field research, specifically in group discussions; • to elaborate and discuss the theories that informed this research project paper; • to propose a road map for actions to be taken following the field research and the results of the research analysis; • to identify prospective linkages and recruit potential partner(s) and stakeholders. The following are the specific objectives of the project proposal presented in Appendix A of this paper: • to serve as a means to empower the communities in the Corridor to articulate their preferences for specific types of tourism, as an alternative development plan for economic growth; • to propose a preliminary plan of action with potential individual "project ideas owners"; • to serve as a discussion and working paper for development of a holistic approach to resolving issues of lack of coordination, in order to enhance collaboration between communities. These objectives are derived from the research question as stated in the original proposal for my research: "What strategies can be cultivated to motivate local communities to create an innovative tourism product that will benefit them beyond economic development?" The outcome of my research was "the seed of a proposal for a sustainable tourism project that would help develop income-generating activities"

A brief history of self-care

A brief history of self-car

OFF-FARM WORK PARTICIPATION, OFF-FARM LABOR SUPPLY AND ON-FARM LABOR DEMAND OF U.S. FARM OPERATORS

The paper presents econometric evidence on off-farm work participation, off-farm hours of work, and on-farm hours of work for U.S. farm operators using a national sample of farmers for the USDA's 1991 Farm Costs and Return Survey.Farm Management, Labor and Human Capital, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Wealth Accumulation by Farm Households: Evidence from a National Survey

Wealth affects the economic well-being of the farm households by enabling farm households to secure credit, facilitate intergenerational transfer, and provide for smoothing consumption expenditures in times of income shortfall. This paper examines the factors that are likely to influence wealth accumulation by farm households. Specifically, we use 2001 ARMS data and multivariate regression procedure to estimate two models; one for those farm households whose wealth originates primarily from the farm and another for households with both farm- and nonfarm wealth.Farm Management,

ADOPTION AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SITE-SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGIES IN U.S. AGRICULTURE

A Heckman's two-stage method is used in conjunction with data from the 1998 Agricultural Resource Management Study to estimate the likelihood of adopting a variable rate application technology (VRT) and the impact of such adoption on the per-acre costs of fertilizers and lime in cash grain production. Results highlight the importance of operator's level of human capital and attitude toward risk, along with size and location of farm in impacting VRT adoption decisions. Results also indicate no significant cost-savings attributable to VRT adoption.Farm Management, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION DECISIONS IN DAIRY PRODUCTION AND THE ROLE OF HERD EXPANSION

Technology adoption in dairy production allows for higher milk yield and lower per-unit costs. The importance of herd expansion and other factors to adoption was examined using a multinomial logit model and data from the USDA's 1993 Farm Costs and Returns Survey. Predicted probabilities of adoption were used to simulate the effect of herd expansion on milk production. Results identified age, size, and specialization in dairy production as important in increasing the likelihood of adopting a capital-intense technology. Education and size of operation positively impacted the decision to adopt a management-intense technology. Age, education, credit reserves, size, and increased usage of hired labor positively influenced the decision to adopt a combined capital-and management-intense technology.Livestock Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,