Reforestation and Farmers

Background

This chapter provides an overview of reforestation programs involving smallholder farmers, highlighting factors that influence the attractiveness of reforestation to different types of farmers.

Goals & Methods

The goal of the chapter is to build on previous chapters examination of potential reasons that impact the attractiveness of reforestation for local communities and other stakeholders. Specifically, this chapter examines farmers role in this process. The chapter draws on several distinct farmer-led or involved case studies, including ones from the Philippines, southwestern China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. 

Conclusions & Takeaways

From the examination of the case studies, the author concludes that a variety of factors influence farmers engagement with reforetation activities. In the Philippines, access to financial resources was the main determinate while in China ethnic background determined restoration approach, with little crossover between groups. Land access, traditional knowledge, changes in local and global economic, and government's connection and ability to relate and speak to local peoples were also significant factors in the other case studies.