Local Institutions and Forest Products Extraction: Evidence from Forest Management in Nepal

This study examines the contribution of forest products from community forests to household income, with particular emphasis on institutional differences in management and benefit distribution. Two community-managed forests (with formal and informal institutions) were studied in the Pyuthan district of Nepal. Findings show that the contribution of forest products to household income is higher in the case of forest management without a formal institution than in the case of management under a formal institution. The analysis of household level benefits indicates that poorer households, who are more dependent on forest products, bear the burden of conservation. This is mainly a result of the access and conservation rules imposed by formal forest user groups

A Feasibility Assessment of Water Quality Trading in the Greenbrier River Watershed, West Virginia

The main goal of this dissertation was to assess the physical and economic feasibility of a water quality trading (WQT) program in the Greenbrier River watershed in West Virginia which can reduce the nutrient related water pollution. The focus of this dissertation is the feasibility of nutrient trading between wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and farmers in the watershed. This dissertation compares 12 WQT scenarios that include different market design parameters of trading ratios (1:1 and 2:1), effluent limitations for point sources (WWTPs), and baseline requirements for agricultural non-point sources. The physical feasibility analysis includes the estimation of nutrient reduction requirements for the WWTPs (potential demand for nutrient credits) and nutrient reduction potential from the agricultural sources (potential supply of nutrient credits) in the watershed. The economic feasibility analysis includes estimation of costs of credit generation from the agricultural sources, cost of nutrient reduction for the WWTPs, demand for and supply of nutrient credits, cost saving for individual WWTP, and total potential economic benefits from the potential WQT program in the watershed.;A water quality model was developed in using water quality modeling program (MapShed) developed by Evans and Corradini (2011) to estimate the current level of nutrient loads from non-point sources and load reduction potentials from the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) by farmers on the crop and pasture/grass lands. The per unit costs of nutrient reduction from the individual BMPs were estimated based on the USDA NRCS West Virginia payment schedules for the 2012 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). Nutrient reduction requirements for WWTPs were estimated based on the most likely effluent limitations for the WWTPs in the watershed, their current level of nutrient concentration (mg/l), daily amount of nutrient discharge (lb.), and facility\u27s discharge flow (MGD). The cost estimation model used in the Chesapeake Bay Program for point source treatment plant upgrading was used to estimate total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) reduction costs for WWTP in the Greenbrier River watershed.;The results of this feasibility assessment indicate that the Greenbrier River watershed has potential for a WQT program under certain conditions. The pollutants reduction feasibility study shows that the utilization of TN and TP credits under all targeted TN and TP limits can be met through the implementation of agricultural BMPs on the crop and pasture/grass lands in the watershed. Four market design parameters: effluent limitations for WWTPs, trading ratio between point and non-point sources, baseline requirement for agricultural sources, and market type, had significant impacts on the economic feasibility of the WQT program in the watershed.;The total potential economic benefit from the WQT program in the watershed was estimated by computing aggregate potential demand and supply curves under 12 scenarios and two markets. Equilibrium prices levels (supply = demand) were computed for TP credits in both single market and combined market, and for TN in combined market. The equilibrium price of phosphorus in a single nutrient market ranged from {dollar} 52 to {dollar}239 per pound of TP while the combined market had a price range of between {dollar}9 and {dollar}61 per pound under 12 WQT scenarios. For TN credit prices in a combined market, prices ranged from {dollar}5 to {dollar}45 per lb.;The total economic benefits were estimated for a single nutrient market (TP) and combined nutrients market (TP and TN). The goal of each WWTP is to reduce TP. A market for TN credits was included to evaluate the impact of this additional market on decreasing the equilibrium price of TP credits. Results show that single nutrient market is economically feasible at less stringent TP limitations (1.0 and 0.5 mg/l). However, combined nutrients market would be economically feasible at a more stringent TP limitation (0.1 mg/l). The total economic benefits decrease under the nutrient management plan baseline requirements compared to the total economic benefits under existing BMPs baseline requirements for agricultural sources. Under all 12 WQT scenarios, total economic benefits were low under the 100% nutrient management plan baseline requirement. The high trading ratio had negative impact on the total economic benefit. Under all scenarios, the presence of a market (either single or combined) generated more economic benefits than without a market (WWTP upgrades only).;All seven WWTPs in the Greenbrier River could experience a cost savings compared to treatment plant upgrade costs by purchasing either TP and/or TN credits. Five out of seven WWTPs (Union PSD, Town of Alderson, City of White Sulfur Springs, Town of Hillsboro, and City of Marlinton) in the watershed can experience cost saving under most of the WQT scenarios in a WQT market. Very limited WQT scenarios were economically feasible for Pence Springs PSD and City of Ronceverte. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Midline Household Survey Results: Vaishali, Bihar State, India

In 2011, CCAFS carried out baseline surveys (household survey, a village study and an organizational survey) in 21 research sites across 17 countries within its five focus regions, using standardized baseline tools in each site. Many years after the implementation of the baseline studies, CCAFS has conducted the midterm evaluation surveys, which are compared with the baseline findings to track the performance of Climate-Smart Village (CSV) sites and measure the impact on beneficiaries. With a few improvements, the same standardized tools were used again to carry out the midline evaluation and to ensure comparability with the data collected previously

Midline Household Survey Results: Karnal, Haryana State, India

In 2011, CCAFS carried out baseline surveys (household survey, a village study and an organizational survey) in 21 research sites across 17 countries within its five focus regions, using standardized baseline tools in each site. Many years after the implementation of the baseline studies, CCAFS has conducted the midterm evaluation surveys, which are compared with the baseline findings to track the performance of Climate-Smart Village (CSV) sites and measure the impact on beneficiaries. With a few improvements, the same standardized tools were used again to carry out the midline evaluation and to ensure comparability with the data collected previously

Non-timber forest products and community forestry : a tale of two villages

This policy brief is based on SANDEE working paper no. 16-06, "Local institutions and forest products extraction : evidence from forest management in Nepal"Many rural people harvest non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for food, resources and supplementary income and forms a key component of community forest management. It is therefore vital to understand how different approaches to community forestry impact the way in which local people can use forest resources and benefit from the available NTFPs. A new SANDEE study from Nepal investigates this important question. The study compares the experience of people living under an informal and a formal community forest management system in Pyuthan district. It finds that under the informal management system NTFPs make a higher contribution to household income than under the formal system. It also finds that poorer households, who are more dependent on forest products, are more significantly affected by forest management rules and regulations than their richer neighbors. To help these poorer households, the study proposes some changes in the formal management system rules

South Asia Climate-Smart Villages AR4D sites: 2016 Inventory

Inventory of CSA practises in South Asia's Climate-Smart Villages

Midline Household Survey Results: Rupandehi, Nepal

This report summarizes the main findings from the household midline survey conducted in seven villages of the district of Rupandehi, one of CCAFS site, in Nepal in July 2019. The household survey revisited the 135 households of the 2012 CCAFS baseline survey and used the same standardized household survey tools. The Open Data Kit (ODK) software was used for the data collection. The results show that the majority of households in Rupandehi produce a variety of crops, among which rice, wheat and mustard. Many farmers also rear livestock such as cows, buffalo, chicken, oxen and goat. All members of the family typically engage in the on-farm agricultural work but men are more likely to be also involved in off-farm activities. Households members derive their income from a variety of sources, the main one being payments from the government or other projects/programs. This is followed by remittances and income from businesses as the main alternative income sources for many households. Moreover, most of the farmers have made changes in their agricultural practices since the baseline. Many have introduced higher-yielding crop varieties or have stopped keeping one or more types of animals on the farm. In terms of food security, the majority of the households surveyed in Rupandehi district are food secure throughout the entire year. The households mostly obtain their food directly from their farms. However, some of the households purchase food from other sources, especially during the month of June, July and August. Most farmers are small landholders, almost 75% of the households’ land sizes are marginal (< 1 ha), followed by a minority of smallholders owning between 1 and 2 ha of land. 98% of the households indicated buying seeds and inorganic fertilizers whereas 95% of households reported the purchase of pesticides and insecticides. 70% of households also recorded the purchase of veterinary medicine. According to the survey, television, cell phone and bicycle are the most common assets in the area. Internet access is also common in many households. Women are mostly involved in crops cultivation, mainly vegetables and cereals along with rearing livestock. The farmers have shifted towards higher-yielding and better-quality varieties of rice, and wheat. The survey findings indicate that farmers are well aware of agricultural innovations and tend to use new crop varieties

Organizational Midline Study: Rupandehi, Nepal

This report summarizes findings from the Organizational Midline Survey (OMS) conducted in Nepal’s Rupandehi district in July 2019. The findings point out many organizations collaborating and coordinating with farming communities in Rupandehi. Ten of these organizations, working directly with farmers groups, were interviewed during this study

Organizational Midline Study: Karnal, Haryana State, India

In 2011, CCAFS conducted a baseline study in India which included a household survey, a qualitative village study and an organizational survey at two CCAFS sites, i.e., Karnal district in Haryana and Vaishali district in Bihar. To measure the impact of the program, the BISA-CIMMYT conducted a midline study containing the same three components, i.e., Household Midline Surveys (HMS), Village Midline Surveys (VMS) and Organizational midline surveys (OMS). This report summarizes the findings from the Organisational Midline Survey (OMS) carried out in June 2019. CCAFS' organizational-level Midline studies supplement the quantitative household midline surveys and the qualitative village midline studies conducted at the same locations

Organizational Midline Study: Vaishali, Bihar State, India

In 2011, CCAFS conducted a baseline study in India which included a household survey, a qualitative village study and an organizational survey at two CCAFS sites, i.e., Karnal district in Haryana and Vaishali district in Bihar. To measure the impact of the program, the BISA-CIMMYT conducted a midline study containing the same three components, i.e., Household Midline Surveys (HMS), Village Midline Surveys (VMS) and Organizational midline surveys (OMS). This report summarizes the findings from the Organisational Midline Survey (OMS) carried out in June 2019. CCAFS' organizational-level Midline studies supplement the quantitative household midline surveys and the qualitative village midline studies conducted at the same locations