Thesis
The five pillars for agricultural development : a case study of beekeeping in Papua New Guinea
Southern Cross university
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.111
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Abstract
The determinants underpinning the success of international agricultural research for development programs are not always clear and their effectiveness is varied. Beekeeping represents an example of this phenomenon, as the activity has increasingly been promoted for improving and diversifying incomes among rural farmers. Despite the enthusiasm of funding agencies, attrition remains a chronic problem, colony losses are high, support for and coordination of the sector is low, and practices, production and income from beekeeping is often inefficient. This research investigated factors influencing the success of beekeepers and apicultural development programs to develop a conceptual framework for guiding future agricultural initiatives. This thesis critically evaluates relevant published literature, explores lessons learn by development professionals and examines beekeeping enterprises in Papua New Guinea as a case study. This research revealed a paucity of apicultural information in the Asia-Pacific region. Despite owning few bee hives, income from honey provides significant contributions to cash incomes and financial resilience among farmers. Twenty-four predictors were found to significantly influence net income from beekeeping, honey yields and numbers of hives owned by beekeepers. This research emphasizes a need for increased efforts to assess specific management practices which influence production and income and how these can be optimized, as well as increased efforts in facilitating effective extension in order to disseminate best practice approaches to farmers. While there are multiple benefits to beekeeping, programs should not overlook the fact that honey bees, like other livestock, require good nutrition, pest and disease management and appropriate support mechanisms to be successful. This research proposes the five pillars for agricultural development, namely, education and extension, nutrition, pest and disease, genetics and technology. The framework is relevant to farmers, academics, government and NGOs in developing countries seeking to improve the sustainability, productivity and profitability of beekeeping and other agricultural enterprises. These approaches may help to improve the relevance and impact of beekeeping and other crop and livestock production systems, as effective mechanisms to achieving sustainable development and assisting low-income farmers to improve their livelihoods.
Details
- Title
- The five pillars for agricultural development : a case study of beekeeping in Papua New Guinea
- Creators
- Cooper Schouten
- Contributors
- David Lloyd (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityDoug Somerville (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityJerry K Vanclay (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityKerrie Jane Stimpson (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross university
- Number of pages
- xx, 274
- Identifiers
- 991012912400502368
- Copyright
- © C Schouten 2019
- Academic Unit
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Resource Type
- Thesis