An Assessment of Male and Female Attitudes among Landless People towards Agroforestry

Puja Ahluwalia

Atlantic Forest, Brazil

SEE-U 2000

Introduction

In an effort to preserve plant and animal species endemic to the region, the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas (IPE) of the Pontal region has recently introduced a developmental agroforestry program, “the Green Hug,” to small-scale farmers inhabiting areas near the forest fragments and park reserves

The Although agroforestry presents itself as a viable conservation method, its success depends upon future implementation and use.

As Laury Cullen, the director of the “Green Hug” project, asserts “the conservation of these Atlantic Forest Fragments ultimately depends on the support of the local people living and farming around them (Cullen 2000).”

the potential landowners are the landless people

Objective

Twenty kilometers from the town of Teodoro Sampaoi in the southeast region of the Pontal de Paranapanema, a camp of eight-hundred landless people inhabit the edge of an unproductive area of farmland, waiting for land redistribution.

this project seeks to assess attitudes of these potential landowners towards integrating conservation methods of agroforestry into their future farming practices.

More specifically, two groups, males and females, will be analyzed with respect to their farming experience, expectations, and preferences.

Hypotheses

– GENERAL:– Hypothesis I: there is no difference between males and

females in past experience with agroforestry and willingness to adopt agroforestry methods in the future.

– Alternative Hypothesis I: there is a significant difference between males and females in past experience with agroforestry and willingness to adopt agroforestry methods in the future.

Hypotheses

– SPECIFIC TO QUANTITY:

– Hypothesis II: there is no difference between males and females in the quantity of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and garden vegetables grown or raised in the past.

– Alternative Hypothesis II: there is a significant difference between males and females in the quantity of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and garden vegetables grown or raised in the past.

– Hypothesis III: there is no difference between males and females in the quantity of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and garden vegetables anticipated for in the future.

– Alternative Hypothesis III: there is a difference between males and females in the quantity of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and

garden vegetables anticipated for in the future.

Hypotheses

– SPECIFIC TO TYPE:– Hypothesis IV: there is no difference between males and females in

the type of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and garden vegetables grown or raised in the past between males and females.

– Alternative Hypothesis IV: there is a significant difference between males and females in the type of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and garden vegetables grown or raised in the past between males and females.

– Hypothesis V: there is no difference between males and females in the type of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and garden vegetables anticipated for in the future.

– Alternative Hypothesis V: there is a difference between males and females in the type of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and garden

vegetables anticipated for in the future.

Hypotheses

– WITH RESPECT TO ANIMALS IN THE BUFFER ZONES– Hypothesis VI: there is no difference between males and

females in their comfort levels with animal migration through buffer zones.

– Alternative Hypothesis VI: there is a difference between males and females in their comfort levels with animal

migration through buffer zones.

Methodology THE CREATION OF A SURVEY: we developed a survey that addressed the six null hypotheses in

sixteen questions The initial questions of age, occupation, family size, and origin provided

demographic information. Two questions regarding past experience with agroforestry and

willingness to adopt agroforestry techniques addressed the first null hypothesis.

The remaining questions, divided into categories of crops, livestock, fruit trees, and garden plants, were directed towards the next four null hypotheses.

The final question of the comfort levels within animal buffer zones served as an indicator of how comfortable prospective settlers are with the

ecological implications of agroforestry.

The Survey

CONDUCTING THE SURVEY: Saturday, August 5, 2000 two survey groups composed of myself, Nathaniel Johnson, and two translators went to the MST headquarters in Teodoro Sampaio. Granted permission to conduct the survey, we went to the camp Dorcelina Falador.

Nathaniel and myself recorded observations, and the two translators conducted the surveys.

An age restriction of 15 years+ was imposed and only one member of each household was surveyed. No preference was given to gender or residence.

Each survey began with an introduction and a request for permission to conduct the survey. All questions were read along with all possible responses.

Responses were specific to the individual, and not to the entire household.

Results

86 surveys total (30 female, 56 male)

ALL Null Hypotheses accepted, except Null Hypothesis III, IV, VI.

Hypothesis III: Relationship between future expectation and past experience with home garden plants of the males and females of the MST camp, Dorcelina Falador

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

past experience (# vegetables)

futu

re e

xpec

tatio

pn

(#ve

geta

bles

)

females

males

ut

Results cont.

there was a significant difference between males and females with respect to the quantity of garden plants expected in the future. (u=594.5, z=-2.59)

Hypothesis V:Future expectation of cattle and medicinal plants of the male and female population in the MST camp, Dorcelina Falador

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

medicinal plants cattle

% o

f p

op

ula

tio

n

female

male

Results cont.

Hypothesis IV: There was a significant difference

between males and females in future expectation of cattle (x2=37.24) and medicinal plants (x2=4.57).

Hypothesis VI: Male and Female Comfort Levels with Animal Migration through Buffer Zones. (z=-3.16, p=.002)

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

threatened uncomfortable more or less comfortable comfortablecomfort level

frac

tion

of p

opul

atio

n

females

males

Discussion/Conlusions

The failure to reject the first five null hypothesis suggests that future implementation of agroforestry in the Pontal de Paranapanema region will be welcomed by both the female and male populations of the landless people.

The only point of divergence between the male and female aspirations lay in a larger female preference for cattle (71% difference) and a larger male preference for medicinal plants

(15% difference in population support).

Discussion/Conclusion

Why little variation in attitude? A possible sociological explanation as to why there exists little variation in attitude and experience between genders is that the restricted economic lifestyle of the landless people demand that males and females cooperate and partake in shared agricultural activities in order to maintain basic subsistence.

Error

Quantitative variables– time – frequency

Biases-– introduction of out intentions

Quantity vs. Quality– 88 individuals out of population of 800– 10 minutes/survey

Acknowledgements Henrique (father to be) - thanks for the translation,

transportation, breakfast music, and your concern for my project. John Hay (gps master and statistical genius) you have made

a significant difference. Christie (the T.A):-thanks for the advice Pedro (Pedro): thanks for the Portuguese tongue Nate (p.grandpa): thanks for keeping quiet, and not asking

questions at the MST camp Crystal, Rachel, Cam, Barney (the people/scenery): thanks for

not hitting me when I deserved it. Dan (computer guy)- thanks for the computer help. Neoso and Sandra (the cooks): thanks for the food.