Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Short Rotation Plantations on Marginal Lands: Qualitative Study About Incentives and Barriers in Slovakia

• DOI: 10.1007/s12155-020-10240-6
• Publication Date: 2021-01-21T22:02:39Z
• Authors: Lea Ranacher; Barbora Pollakova; Peter Schwarzbauer; Sandra Liebal; Norbert Weber; Franziska Hesser
• Keywords: Short rotation coppice

Abstract Short rotation plantations (SRP), also called short coppice, can contribute to bioeconomy by satisfying the rising demand for wood raw material while strengthening rural economy. However, farmers all over Europe show limited adoption of SRP. Marginal lands are considered a promising option producing SRP biomass and avoiding conflicts with food production. This study focuses on Malacky region in Western Slovakia because suitable land quality board production site close providing significant local market produced biomass. Qualitative interviews 2018 explored personal situational factors that influenced farmers’ ( N = 19) willingness adopt Slovakia’s fragmentation combination required landowner’s consent, competition production, lack identification were identified as prominent barriers. The economic benefit from using low environmental benefits incentives. Moreover, found agricultural cooperatives more open than business companies, they interested prefer activity fallow land. Because conflicting views about possible impacts environment community, it is crucial provide science-based facts these issues. aspect should be acknowledged increase acceptance stakeholders, such owners, governmental actors, general public, which needed develop measures encourage