Trade potential and ecological analysis of non-timber products in Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal

The study was initially conceived to identify ten important MAPs and NTFPs to present information to national and international private investors on socio-economic and environmental opportunities available for investment on those species. But, in the course of the study during the various interaction programs organized for feedbacks, participating stakeholders suggested the study team to consider more than 10 species from investment point of view. So, the study considered a list of 30 species already selected by the national level Herbs and NTFP Coordination Committee (HNCC) of the government of Nepal. The study has identified four top priority species for low risk private sector investment in each of the three climatic zones of Nepal, by considering market value, export data, ease of cultivation, parts used in trade, range of distribution of species, threat category, status of legal protection, local processing opportunity, ethno-botanical importance, etc

A discourse on entrepreneurial identity : three essays.

My dissertation provides theoretical insights on individual level entrepreneurial identity in three inter-related essays, drawing on multiple theories and disciplines. In the first essay, I advance a dual-process model of identity development, contributing to the debates in the broad identity literature. I articulate that the intrinsic prospection of identity is another fundamental process of identity formation, besides the social construction of identity, the prevalent notion in the literature. I propose a comprehensive conceptual framework of entrepreneurial identity. On the basis of this conceptual framework, I explain that there are within-group and between-group variations in the entrepreneurial identity of different types of entrepreneurs – innovators, imitators, and self-employed professionals. In the second essay, I develop and validate an entrepreneurial identity scale with socially constructed and intrinsically prospected identity dimensions. I theorize on the antecedents of entrepreneurial identity, and empirically test a conceptual model. Particularly, I investigate the influence of career related attitudes, personality characteristics, and family background on entrepreneurial identity. In the final essay, I argue that entrepreneurial identity is a missing link in the nascent entrepreneurship literature. Although the centrality of entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurial self-efficacy in predicting an individual’s transition to an entrepreneurial career is well established, we do not adequately know what contributes to entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. To that end, I investigate the impacts of entrepreneurial identity on entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurial self-efficacy in a sample of potential entrepreneurs. Therefore, the third essay fills that critical gap

Trade Potentility and Ecological Analysis of NTFPs in Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal

Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have been welfare, subsistence or livelihood commodity since long; these are traditional source of food, fiber, medicine, etc. In some rural hilly areas, it contributes up to 50 % of total annual family income. NTFPs sub-sector in Nepal contributes about 5 % of national GDP out of total estimation of about 15 % from the whole forestry sector (almost 1/3). More than 100 types of plant species are harvested from the wild and traded to international market mostly to India; 95 % of the NTFPs are collected from the wild and 90 % are exported to India in raw form. Amala, Atis, Chiraito, Tejpat, Guchhi chyau, Jatamansi, Jhyau, Kutki, Pipla, Ritha, Sugandhawal, Sugandha Kokila and Timur are the major NTFPs in such trade to India. The importance of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (MAPs) has increased progressively over the last two decades. Herbal remedies are increasingly becoming mainstream consumer products manufactured by multinational companies amongst other, and sold in super market chains and in a variety of other outlets, globally. Food supplements, cosmetics, fragrances, traditional cuisine, dyeing and coloring agents are just a few of the application where medicinal, aromatic and dye plants are finding increasing use by the day. As a result there is growing demand of Nepalese MAPs and other NTFPs for these purposes. The diverse geography and climate of Nepal has rendered it a unique land of NTFPs along with other natural resources. However, the commercial exploitation without any conservation measures has threatened many species. The high mountains are highly praised for high value (potency) low volume NTFPs, hence they fetch higher prices. In spite of all advantages, the country is not able to harness the full potential of NTFPs for the welfare of Nepalese. The major constraints for such situation are considered to be low capital investments both by the government and private sectors for the overall promotion of NTFPs including enterprise development and the perpetual marketing of quality products; governments unclear investment policy, lack of proper documentation on species availability (including bio-prospecting) & uses and poor awareness among public on its values. The study was initially conceived to identify ten important NTFPs, but in the course of the study during the various interaction programs organized for feedbacks, participating stakeholders suggested the study team that rather than limiting the selection to only ten species, it might be preferable from investment point of view to relax the restriction and consider more species for practical reasons. So, the study now endeavors to prioritize and recommend four species of MAPs and other NTFPs for promotion via private sector investment in each of the three climatic zones of Nepal from the list of 30 species already selected by the national level Herbs and NTFPs Coordination Committee (HNCC) of GON and additional four species viz. Bel, Chammomile, Lemongrass and Mentha selected by the study team by considering high potential for their promotion based on professional experience, market demands and the suggestions received from various stakeholders. The study identifies the top priority species from among the priority species designated by HNCC and additional four species are also recommended for promotion by team based on their prospects.for low risk investment by private sector toward commercial promotion of NTFPs. Species prioritization for commercial promotions has been attempted by considering practically applicable criterion like market value, export data, ease of cultivation, parts used in trade, range of distribution of species, threat category, status of legal protection, local processing opportunity, ethnobatanical importance, etc. A total of 17 new criteria are developed by the study team by further illuminating and simplifying the criteria already set by HNCC, Nepal and also reviewing the criteria set earlier by National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), India. Moreover, the prioritization criteria of other related development organizations like NSCFP, SNV, ANSAB, BDS MaPs, etc have also been thoroughly reviewed and developed criteria with proper justification to attain the set objectives.\u2

Evaluation of methods to predict Weibull parameters for characterizing diameter distributions

Compared to other distribution functions, the Weibull distribution has been more widely used in describing diameter distributions because of its flexibility and relative simplicity. Parameters of the Weibull distribution are generally predicted either by the parameter prediction method or by the parameter recovery method. The coefficients of the regression equations for predicting Weibull parameters, moments, or percentiles are often estimated by use of different approaches such as ordinary least squares (OLS), seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) or cumulative distribution function regression (CDFR). However, there is no strong rationale for preferring one method over the other. We developed and evaluated different methods of predicting parameters of Weibull distribution to characterize diameter distribution using data from the Southwide Seed Source Study. The SUR and the CDFR approaches were applied to ten different parameter prediction and parameter recovery methods. A modified CDFR approach was developed by modifying the CDFR technique such that the CDF is computed using information from diameter classes instead of individual trees as in the CDFR approach. These methods were evaluated based on four goodness-of-fit statistics (Anderson-Darling, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, negative Log-Likelihood, and Error Index). The CDFR approach provided better results than the SUR approach for all methods. The Modified CDFR approach consistently provided better results than the SUR approach, and was superior to the CDFR approach in all evaluation statistics but the Anderson-Darling statistic

Searching for an Environmental Kuznets Curve in Carbon Dioxide Pollutant in Latin American Countries

This study utilized a semiparametric panel model to estimate environmental Kuznets curves (EKC) for carbon dioxide (CO2) in 15 Latin American countries, using hitherto unused data on forestry acreage in each country. Results showed an N-shaped curve for the region; however, the shape of the curve is sensitive to the removal of some groups of countries. Specification tests support a semiparametric panel model over a parametric quadratic specification.CO2, forest acreage, environmental Kuznets curve, Latin American countries, semiparametric regression model, Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, C14, C33, Q23, Q53,

Test of Convergence in Agricultural Factor Productivity: A Semiparametric Approach

We tested for club convergence in U.S. agricultural total factory productivity using a sigma convergence test. We used the same club of states as used by McCunn and Huffman as well as different states within 10 clubs identified by the cluster analysis. Results showed convergence was evident only in a few club groups. Clusters group identified using a statistical method identified only converging clubs. Variables affecting total factor productivity among states were identified using parametric, semiparametric and nonparametric methods. Semiparametric and nonparametric methods gave a better fit than a parametric method as indicated by the specification test. Our results indicated that health care expenditure, public research and extension investment, and private expenditure are important variables impacting total factor productivity differences across states.Clubs, sigma convergence, cluster analysis, semiparametric and nonparametric methods, Productivity Analysis, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Delays in Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among HIV-Positive Individuals: Results of the Positive Living with HIV Study

Background: Lack of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a major health concern due to increased risk of premature mortality and further HIV transmission. This study explored CD4+ cell count monitoring in relation to delays in ART initiation among HIV-positive individuals in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, where ART coverage was only 23.7% in 2011. Design: We recruited a total of 87 ART-naïve, HIV-positive individuals aged 18 to 60 years through the networks of five non-government organizations working with HIV-positive individuals. We collected data on the history of ART initiation, CD4+ cell count monitoring, socio-demographic variables, perceived family support (measured with 10-item Nepali Family Support and Difficulty Scale), depression, and HIV symptom burden. Correlates of ART eligibility were examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 72 of the 87 ART-naïve participants (82.8%) had monitored their CD4+ cell count in the past 6 months. Of these, 36 (50%) participants were eligible for ART initiation with CD4+ cell count /mm3. A total of 12 participants had CD4+ cell count /mm3. Lower level of perceived family support was associated with 6.05-fold higher odds (95% confidence interval =1.95 to 18.73) of being ART eligible with a CD4+ cell count /mm3. Conclusions: High rate of delays in ART initiation and the strong association of low perceived family support with ART eligibility in our study participants suggest that HIV service providers should consider the role and impact of family support in influencing individual decisions to initiate ART among eligible HIV-positive individuals

Reaching hard-to-reach migrants by letters: An HIV/AIDS awareness programme in Nepal

We assessed the impact of an HIV/AIDS programme for Nepalese migrants to India that involved writing letters. The programme created opportunities for sending HIV/AIDS-related messages to the migrants in India, and encouraging them practicing safer sex. Initially, they received the messages only from the programme, but later from their colleagues, spouses or other family members. They discussed the messages in groups, disseminated them, and sought more knowledge in their destinations. These findings indicated that using letters could be an effective way to reach inaccessible migrants at their destinations, and help them to improve their HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, and safer sex practices

Perceived Family Support and Antiretroviral Adherence in HIV-Positive Individuals: Results from a Community-Based Positive Living With HIV Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between perceived family support, either positive or negative, and adherence to antiretroviral medication regimens among HIV-positive individuals in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. We measured past 3-month antiretroviral adherence among 233 HIV-positive individuals, in relation to perceived family support, both positive (in terms of emotional and instrumental support) and negative (in the form of negative interactions), using the 10-item Nepali Family Support and Difficulty Scale. Medium and high levels of perceived emotional support from family were associated with reduced risk of antiretroviral nonadherence, compared with low levels of perceived emotional support (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] ¼ 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.16, 0.88], and AOR ¼ 0.23, 95% CI [0.08, 0.64], respectively). Conversely, higher levels of felt emotional distance (AOR ¼ 1.46, 95% CI [1.00, 2.14]) and experienced physical harm (AOR ¼ 2.04, 95% CI [1.07, 3.91]) were associated with increased risk of nonadherence. The results support the recommendation that service providers need to be aware of the significant role of family support in shaping antiretroviral adherence and to consider ways to strengthen positive family support while minimizing negative family interactions to increase adherence rates

Comparing technical efficiency of organic and conventional coffee farms in Nepal using data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach used to estimate technical efficiency and followed by regressing the technical efficiency scores to farm specific characters under tobit regression model. Primary data was collected from random samples of 240 (120 from each) coffee famers. Mean technical efficiency score was 0.89 and 0.83 in organic and conventional coffee farming respectively. Farms operating under CRS, DRS and IRS were 31.67, 3.83 and 37.5% respectively in organic coffee and 29.17, 25 and 45.83% respectively in conventional farming areas. Tobit regression showed the variation in technical efficiency was related education, farm experience and training/extension services and excess to credit.Production frontier, Resource use, Technical efficiency, Organic, Altitude, Productivity Analysis,