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Diagnosis
A farm forestry diagnosis is a review of
aspirations, opportunities and constraints of the farmer, the
role that trees and forests might play in meeting these, the
possible market opportunities available and the associated product
or service specifications. This is a starting point for the
design of appropriate farm forestry options.
Because every farm is different, no single farm forestry design
will be appropriate for all farmers. There are physical, environmental,
social and economic factors that vary significantly from farm
to farm and between regions. Physical factors that will affect
farm forestry design include soil types, climate and the farms
aspect. Social and economic variables that vary from farm to
farm include:
the age and number of farm family members and their interests
farm size
the availability of off-farm income
tax liabilities
available skills and equipment
farming systems
For complex, multipurpose long-term ventures like farm forestry,
it is essential for the design to match the interests, aspirations,
resources and constraints of those whom it is meant to serve.
Market analysis aims to identify the product prices and specifications
that might be gained from potential purchasers of farm forestry
products and services. These depend on the products and services
the farmers might be able to provide and include:
log processors
seed merchants
catchment management groups
water authorities
school groups
tourists.
Every farmer thinking about establishing a farm forest must
first identify:
what the market is looking for
what price the market will pay
delivery and sale mechanisms for the products.
Farmers design
criteria
Market specifications
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