The Perceptions Of Farmers To Afforestation In Ireland Tom Kent 1 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
The Perceptions Of Farmers To Afforestation In Ireland Tom Kent 1 & Ian Short 2 1 Waterford Institute of Technology 2 Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Research Centre Background PAMUCEAF - Poplar - a multiple use crop for European arable farmers EU
1Waterford Institute of Technology 2Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Research Centre
to determine potential for poplar on surplus
to assess attitudes of farmers and public to this to examine demand level & markets for poplar
Forest Area in Ireland is 9% of total land area c. 95% plantation, 5% natural / semi-natural 84% conifer, 16% broadleaf National Forest Policy is to increase area to 17% Land base for further afforestation is private Primarily farmers diversifying from agriculture Supported by subsidies on establishment and
2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000 20,000 1 9 3 2 1 9 3 6 1 9 4 1 9 4 4 1 9 4 8 1 9 5 2 1 9 5 6 1 9 6 1 9 6 4 1 9 6 8 1 9 7 2 1 9 7 6 1 9 8 1 9 8 4 1 9 8 8 1 9 9 2 1 9 9 6 Public Private
Source: Redrawn from Bulfin, 1999.
2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000 20,000 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Year Area (ha) Total private afforestation Afforestation by full time farmers Afforestation by part-time farmers Afforestation by non- farmers
Source: Coggins 1999.
Characterise the respondent & the farm type Determine current land uses including forestry Analyse farmers' perceptions of farm forestry Assess farmers' willingness to further afforest
How old a re you?
Under 30 30-45 46-60 Ov er 60
Farm s ize
5 10 15 20 25 30 < 25 25-50 50-75 75-100 100-125 125-150 150-175 175-200 > 200 Area(H a.) Re sponse rate (%)
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Spring-sown oilseed rape Fruit crops Set-aside Waste (hedges etc) Flower bulbs Winter-sown oilseed rape Maize/sweet corn Unspecified Fodder maize Leased out Field vegetables Beet Legumes (e.g. peas, beans) Potatoes Short-term grass leys Woodland/farm forestry Sugar beet Winter-sown cereals Permanent grass/long leys Spring-sown cereals Average area (ha) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Frequency Average area Frequency
Woodland or forestry present on the farm. 37% 63% Yes No
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Noble fir Oak Douglas fir Beech Sycamore Poplar Larch Norway spruce Ash Sitka Average area (Ha) Frequency
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 All Most Some Re sp
se rat e (% ) Arable crop production Grassland Woodland/forestry
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Other Livestock grazing Protection of water-course or drinking water supply Public access for recreation or sport Shelter Shooting or hunting Wildlife conservation Proportion of responses (%)
10 20 30 40 50 60 Arable crops Lowland grassland Conifers Poplars Mixed broadleaves Short rotation coppice Pro por tio n (%) Very low Low Medium High Very high Don't know
10 20 30 40 50 60 Arable crops Lowland grassland Conifers Poplars Mixed broadleaves Short rotation coppice Pro por tio n (%) Very low Low Medium High Very high Don't know
10 20 30 40 50 60 Arable crops Lowland grassland Conifers Poplars Mixed broadleaves Short rotation coppice Pr
ion (% ) Very low Low Medium High Very high Don't know
5 10 15 20 25 30 I would like to grow trees as an alternative farm crop I might like to grow trees, but need more information I have actively considered farm forestry, but it was not for me I have no interest in farm forestry Proportion of responses (%)
Many arable farmers already engaged in farm forestry Variety of tree species grown conifer & broadleaf Most farmers had multiple objectives for their farm
Perception is farm forestry will increase in future Main reason is due to uncertainties in farming. Majority willing to consider forestry as an enterprise Perception that afforestation reduces value of land