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Factors influencing smallholder commercial tree planting in Isabel Province, the Solomon Islands

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Abstract

Small-scale forestry systems provide subsistence products and income generation for smallholders, and a range of environmental services. However, smallholders often face constraints to the adoption of small-scale forestry. In the Solomon Islands, family-based plantations of commercial timber species, in particular teak, have been promoted over the last 10 years. After initially high uptake, rates of new plantings have slowed, and management of existing plantations is perceived to limit timber quality. This study assesses the factors that influence household adoption of small-scale forestry through a case study of Isabel Province, the Solomon Islands. These factors were investigated in five tree-planting villages using a mixed methods approach, in which a household survey of tree planters and non-tree planters was complemented with qualitative methods. Descriptive statistics, probit and multiple regression models, and qualitative analysis were used to generate results. The study finds that a market for existing planted timber resources, improved extension services and, in the longer-term, more livelihood-appropriate small-scale (agro)forestry systems are critical to facilitate the ongoing adoption and maintenance of small-scale plantations in Isabel Province of the Solomon Islands.

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Notes

  1. An Australian programme, which ran from 1999 until 2009 (Hughes et al. 2010).

  2. Specific names and locations of villages are not disclosed. The total number of villages in the area is not known.

  3. One village was settled on land belonging to another clan in the 1960s.

  4. Unweighted and weighted descriptive statistics and regressions were generated and contrasted (as per Solon et al. 2013). Unweighted results are primarily presented, though implications of weighting are discussed where they are considered to affect interpretation of the results.

  5. 1 per first adult, 0.7 for every additional adult and 0.5 per child.

  6. The correction involved dividing the number of trees planted by number of households involved.

  7. A traditional way to seal or confirm the transfer of land (see Maetala 2008).

  8. If weighted, participation in community groups was no longer statistically significant, and number of dependents was less significant (p < 0.1).

  9. With weighted statistics, off-farm income was no longer significant, and tenure security became more highly significant (p = 0.0001).

  10. A number of studies have reported that smallholder teak systems enhance soil fertility, rehabilitate land and shorten fallow periods (Midgley et al. 2007; Osemeobo 1989; Roshetko et al. 2013).

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Acknowledgments

The research benefitted from the advice and comments from Dr. Tim Blumfield, Dr. Frédérique Reverchon and Larren Gomese of the ACIAR project, Enhancing economic opportunities offered by community and smallholder forestry in the Solomon Islands. Moreover, the support received from staff of the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Forestry and Research and the Diocese of Isabel, particularly Bishop Richard Naramana, is greatly acknowledged. Any errors though are the sole responsibility of the authors.

Funding

Financial support for the research was received from Major General J.F. Classen Foundation, Miss Ellen Backe and Margaret Munn Tovborg Jensen’s Foundation; PLAN-Danmark; Jubilæumsfondet ved Science, Copenhagen University; Agricultural Development grant, Copenhagen University.

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  1. Department of Food and Resource Economics, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Stephanie Versteeg, Christian Pilegaard Hansen & Mariève Pouliot

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  1. Stephanie Versteeg
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Versteeg, S., Hansen, C.P. & Pouliot, M. Factors influencing smallholder commercial tree planting in Isabel Province, the Solomon Islands. Agroforest Syst 91, 375–392 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9940-0

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