Offering farmers more money can make them more willing to accept logging bans

What is it about?

Natural forests need to be protected. In China, the government has introduced the commercial Logging Ban of Natural Forests framework where farmers are financially compensated under the scheme in return for ceasing their logging activities. In this study, the authors surveyed 486 farming households to explore how happy farmers are with the logging ban. They found that 72% of farmers were willing to support the ban, yet they expressed a desire for increased financial compensation.

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Photo by Jace & Afsoon on Unsplash

Photo by Jace & Afsoon on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Sustainable development involves finding the right balance between environmental preservation and meeting people’s needs. This means finding out how people can be better supported to take up sustainable practices. This study found that farmers' willingness to join the logging ban is influenced by their level of education. It is also influenced by how broken up the forested area is and how willing the entire village is to accept the ban. So far, farmers' pay is influenced by the age of the head of the farming household, the extent of how broken up the forest is, and previous logging ban trials. This study shows that higher pay is key to getting farmers to join the policy. It also highlights the need for clear payment levels. It also says that teaching people about the importance of forests is key to getting them involved in sustainable forestry. KEY TAKEAWAY: China has banned logging to help make forestry more sustainable. As a part of this, they offer money to farmers who join the logging ban. Offering increased pay, establishing clear payment levels, and educating farmers about sustainable practices are crucial for encouraging participation in sustainable forestry. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 15: Life on Land • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production • SDG 4: Quality Education • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth