Journal article
Reforesting the grasslands of Papua New Guinea: The importance of a family-based approach
Journal of Rural Studies, Vol.56, pp.124-131
2017
Abstract
The complexities of Melanesian customary land tenure greatly influence the adoption of community-based reforestation (CBR) in Papua New Guinea (PNG). CBR has recently become a focus for the PNG government due to declining yield from native forests which has renewed attention on developing timber plantations to augment villagers' livelihoods. In this paper, we investigate the factors which affect adoption of timber tree-growing by farmers and communities. We assess the efficacy of a policy frequently employed by non-government organisations (NGOs) in which single or multi-clan based seedling nurseries are used to encourage tree growing. A key finding is that people's need for technical assistance is subordinate to social and cultural factors, principally the need for community harmony. Farmers' motivation to plant trees is adversely influenced by uncertainties inherent in PNG's system of customary land tenure. Interventions - in this case extension assistance to grow trees - may create or exacerbate intra- and inter-clan conflict by bringing long term uncertainties into short term focus. For villagers in PNG, as in other cultures, we conclude that key enabling conditions for collective action revolve around strengthening villagers' bridging social capital in a manner which is sensitive to their longstanding social traditions. Targeted, do-it-yourself, family assistance may be as effective as attempts to encourage collective action. The implications of our findings for Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) which envisages a participatory approach to community engagement, are that cross-community initiatives may not be feasible without extensive investment in building social capital. Initiatives targeted at families or family-groups may be most successful.
Details
- Title
- Reforesting the grasslands of Papua New Guinea: The importance of a family-based approach
- Authors
- Jack Baynes (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and LawJohn L Herbohn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and LawWilliam Unsworth (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
- Publication details
- Journal of Rural Studies, Vol.56, pp.124-131
- Publisher
- Pergamon
- Date published
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2017.09.012
- ISSN
- 0743-0167
- Organisation Unit
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; USC Business School - Legacy; Forest Industries Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451293302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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