Segmentation Techniques Used in Development of Agriculture and Forestry Extension Programs

This chapter reviews the literature on the identification of landholder typologies that can be used to assist the design and delivery of extension programs. Australian researchers have developed typologies of landholders based on a variety of criteria. The methods used have differed according to the theories used to guide the research and the 'clients' or 'sponsors' of the research. The landholder types they describe, however, have a number of similarities. In this chapter, the rationale for developing landholder typologies is first discussed before reviewing the various approaches that have been used by Australian researchers and comparing their findings

Assessing the Financial Viability of Farm Forestry: A Tutorial Exercise

This module is designed to aid in the understanding of the concepts and techniques used to assess the financial viability of a farm forestry planting, and to develop basic computer skills in assessing the financial viability of farm forestry plantings. The means to achieve these aims is to construct a simple financial model of farm forestry, from which the net present value and internal rate of return can be derived. The data entry and financial analysis procedures are set out to be followed step by step to derive these financial performance criteria, using the spreadsheet package Excel. This module provides background to operation of the Excel-based Australian Cabinet Timbers Financial Model (ACTFM)

Socio-economic factors affecting smallholder tree planting and management intentions in Leyte Province, Philippines

Survey data have been collected from four rural communities in Leyte Province, the Philippines, on household tree planting and management intentions, as well as the socio-economic characteristics, attitudes to tree planting and management, farming practices and the number of trees planted. In relation to intended tree planting and management activities, respondents were asked a series of structured questions as to what tree species they intend to plant, how many individual trees of each of those species they plan to plant, and for what purpose they propose to plant each of the tree species. This paper reports the results of analyses of the stated tree management intentions of households in the four communities and identifies the socioeconomic factors that influence householders’ tree management intentions. Respondents were generally enthusiastic about the possibility for further tree planting on their land, 75% indicating they would undertake planting. About 60% indicated an interest in commercial tree farming, with no significant differences in this level of interest between communities. It was found that a number of socio-economic variables indicating higher levels of land ownership and previous experience in the forestry industry are related to the intention to plant trees to produce timber for sale. These include the use of materials from public lands, participation in community organisations and community forestry programs, and the present management of trees to produce timber for sale

Designing, Developing and Testing Financial Models for Non-industrial Private Forestry

This paper describes experiences in the development and testing of three distinct financial models to support farm forestry decisions involving non-traditional tree species in northern Australia and in the Philippines. A variety of options were examined with respect to model design, yield prediction, computing platform, forestry performance criteria and other features. Two of the models focus on the forestry enterprise in isolation, while the third evaluates forestry within the context of the overall farm business. It is found that choice of model design depends on the particular type of application intended and availability of financial data for this application. Some complementarities were gained in replicating features when progressing from one model to the next. Model construction and testing were challenging tasks requiring considerable funds and for two of the models proceeding over a number of years. Validation involved the gradual gaining of confidence in a model as it progressed through various versions. For the more complex models, greater effort in development of the user interface was found to be warranted. The models have proved more suitable for use by extension agents than individual landholders. Even with major resource inputs into model development, a number of desirable additional features can be identified.

An Introduction to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

This module provides an introduction to statistical analysis, particularly in regard to survey data. Some of the features of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) are then explained, with reference to a farm forestry survey. Of necessity, this is a brief overview to the highly complex and powerful SPSS package

Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Smallholder Tree Planting and Management Intentions in Leyte Province, The Philippines

Survey data have been collected from four rural communities in Leyte Province, the Philippines, on household tree planting and management intentions, as well as the socio-economic characteristics, attitudes to tree planting and management, farming practices and the number of trees planted. In relation to intended tree planting and management activities, respondents were asked a series of structured questions as to what tree species they intend to plant, how many individual trees of each of those species they plan to plant, and for what purpose they propose to plant each of the tree species. This paper reports the results of analyses of the stated tree management intentions of households in the four communities and identifies the socio-economic factors that influence householders' tree management intentions. Respondents were generally enthusiastic about the possibility for further tree planting on their land, 75% indicating they would undertake planting. About 60% indicated an interest in commercial tree farming, with no significant differences in this level of interest between communities. It was found that a number of socio-economic variables indicating higher levels of land ownership and previous experience in the forestry industry are related to the intention to plant trees to produce timber for sale. These include the use of materials from public lands, participation in community organisations and community forestry programs, and the present management of trees to produce timber for sale

Academic performance of undergraduate veterinary students: a retrospective cohort analysis

The literature related to veterinary student attrition is limited, particularly in an Australasian context in recent years. With the increase in student numbers, the implementation of a demand-driven higher education system and the high costs associated with veterinary education, it is timely to evaluate factors affecting the success of veterinary students. Although caution should be used when applying broader data to veterinary education, it is well documented that student success is greatly influenced by student experience in first year. This study examined the relationship between a range of demographic and educational background factors of commencing veterinary students and their academic success within the course. The students included in the analysis were those who began a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) degree at James Cook University (JCU) between 2006 and 2014. A series of univariate (chi-square and one-way ANOVA) and multi-variate (CHAID classification trees) statistical tests were used to assess whether there were differences in the outcomes for students with different demographic characteristics and educational backgrounds. Of all students who commenced a BVSc degree between 2006 and 2008, 74% had completed the course by 2014. In contrast to the literature, prior to 2012 the majority of students withdrew from the course after successfully completing first year and subsequently failing in second year or beyond. From 2013 onwards, it appears that the majority of students that left the course, do so before commencement of second year. This coincides with a major curriculum review that was implemented in 2013 aiming to better prepare students to the integrated nature of the veterinary curriculum typical of JCU’s program after Year 1. The cohorts of students that have enrolled in the BVSc degree are quite diverse compared to the broader sector and the student body at JCU. Tertiary entry scores, students’ commencing age and their home locality were the only independent predictors of performance in the course. Otherwise students’ demographic characteristics (students’ gender, country of birth, indigenous, disability and non-English speaking background status, and regional and socioeconomic background) had no effect on success in the course. These results suggest that the JCU veterinary course does not bias for or against the diverse demographic background of commencing students and hence ensures reasonable number of graduates with rural or remote origins which was part of the rationale for the courses’ establishment. It is proposed to embed more blended learning activities in the curriculum to specifically support educationally disadvantaged students through the course

Conducting surveys on forestry attitudes and practices in Leyte communities, the Philippines: Experiences and lessons learnt

A survey of forestry practices and attitudes was undertaken in four communities in Leyte, the Philippines, to improve understanding of the social and economic factors affecting small-scale forestry development. The survey had three main data collection activities - initial focus group discussions (FGDs), household interviews, and reporting and validation FGDs. A team of enumerators was selected for household interviews which consisted of both males and females, to avoid potential problems of unwillingness of people to talk with those of the opposite gender. The interviewers were also required to be able to speak local dialects (Cebuano and Waray Waray), the survey questionnaires being administered in these dialects. Various methods were used to gain the support and assistance of local government units and barangay captains. The survey team experienced some difficulty in the first community due to barangay elections at the time of the survey, and the requirement by The University of Queensland Ethics Committee that respondents sign a consent form. This requirement was found to be not culturally appropriate for the Leyte smallholder communities. Offering goods at the end of the interview was found to be of limited value for encouraging participation in the survey. Provision of food and drinks were found to encourage FGD participants to express their views, but too much alcohol had a negative effect. The importance of providing comprehensive feedback to respondents and involving them and other stakeholders in development of policy recommendations was apparent. These survey experiences provide valuable insights which are not generally available in textbooks on sample surveys, and provide lessons for planning and conducting smallholder community survey into natural resource management issues

Case Studies Using the AFFFM

One of the primary functions of the Australian Farm Forestry Financial Model (AFFFM) is to allow landholders and their advisors to explore the potential impacts of forestry development on overall farm profitability, financial position and cashflows. In this chapter, two case studies of real-life landholdings are presented. The first examines the development of native forestry operations on a landholding in the New England Tablelands region, and the second examines the development of a hardwood plantation on a landholding in the Darling Downs region. These case studies illustrate the data input requirements and the nature and interpretation of the output from the model

Designing, Developing and Testing Financial Models for Non-Industrial Private Forestry

This paper describes experiences in the development and testing of three distinct financial models to support farm forestry decisions involving non-traditional tree species in northern Australia and in the Philippines. A variety of options were examined with respect to model design, yield prediction, computing platform, forestry performance criteria and other features. Two of the models focus on the forestry enterprise in isolation, while the third evaluates forestry within the context of the overall farm business. It is found that choice of model design depends on the particular type of application intended and availability of financial data for this application. Some complementarities were gained in replicating features when progressing from one model to the next. Model construction and testing were challenging tasks requiring considerable funds and for two of the models proceeding over a number of years. Validation involved the gradual gaining of confidence in a model as it progressed through various versions. For the more complex models, greater effort in development of the user interface was found to be warranted. The models have proved more suitable for use by extension agents than individual landholders. Even with major resource inputs into model development, a number of desirable additional features can be identified