Barriers to Afforestation in Ireland with Dr. Laqiqige Zhu.
Download MP3"I'd die for this piece of land. It’s ingrained in me so much. My DNA, our fields have all names and stories."
Ireland is trying to increase it's forest cover from 12% but Irish farmers are very reluctant to plant their land. To understand why I speak with Dr. Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) from Trinity College Dublin. She shares key findings from her extensive research into why Irish farmers hesitate to commit to afforestation, despite strong financial incentives. Drawing on her surveys and in-depth interviews with farmers, Zhula explains how Irish landowners aren't anti-forestry but that the state must do much more to convince farmers to plant. The discussion reveals insights into farming identity, community influence, loss of trust in the Forestry Service and why many farmers simply choose to “wait” rather than plant now. Zhula also shares grounds for optimism as many farmers express a strong desire to be involved in climate solutions, especially if payment for ecosystem services become available.
Key Points:
Ireland is trying to increase it's forest cover from 12% but Irish farmers are very reluctant to plant their land. To understand why I speak with Dr. Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) from Trinity College Dublin. She shares key findings from her extensive research into why Irish farmers hesitate to commit to afforestation, despite strong financial incentives. Drawing on her surveys and in-depth interviews with farmers, Zhula explains how Irish landowners aren't anti-forestry but that the state must do much more to convince farmers to plant. The discussion reveals insights into farming identity, community influence, loss of trust in the Forestry Service and why many farmers simply choose to “wait” rather than plant now. Zhula also shares grounds for optimism as many farmers express a strong desire to be involved in climate solutions, especially if payment for ecosystem services become available.
Key Points:
Farmers are making rational decisions within a system that currently rewards flexibility, certainty, and short-term returns over long-term environmental benefits.
Forestry is seen as a permanent, restrictive, irreversibly land use.
Long timeframes, policy changes, and financial risks add uncertainty.
Alternative land uses like leasing offer more flexibility, control and short-term returns.
Farmers want to be involved in the solutions and are keenly awaiting how carbon credits and payments for ecosystem services evolve.
Forestry is seen as a permanent, restrictive, irreversibly land use.
Long timeframes, policy changes, and financial risks add uncertainty.
Alternative land uses like leasing offer more flexibility, control and short-term returns.
Farmers want to be involved in the solutions and are keenly awaiting how carbon credits and payments for ecosystem services evolve.
Quotes from Interviews with Farmers:
"Land rental and the income from land rental is income tax exempt.... that’s actually killing forestry in a way."
One farmer speaking about a new afforestation application - "They're afraid I'm going to plant at the road..... everyone objects, it's a kind of natural pastime for us here..."
"The premium is not index-linked, so inflation reduces its value."
Another farmer replied - "What you’re doing to the future generations is dictating to them that the land is in forestry."
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Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com
Sponsor Link: www.forestsales.ie
Links:
One farmer speaking about a new afforestation application - "They're afraid I'm going to plant at the road..... everyone objects, it's a kind of natural pastime for us here..."
"The premium is not index-linked, so inflation reduces its value."
Another farmer replied - "What you’re doing to the future generations is dictating to them that the land is in forestry."
The ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup
Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com
Sponsor Link: www.forestsales.ie
Links:
Dr Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) on Linkedin.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laqiqige-zhu-281602b5/
The Forest Multidisciplinary Project at TCD
https://www.tcd.ie/trinityhaus/research-areas/climate-action-and-sustainability/forest/
Links to some of Zhula's research (co written by Martha O'Hagan-Luff).
Valuing the Invaluable, a review of economic valuations of forest biodiversity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221204162600015X
Investigating barriers to afforestation in Ireland: Insights from a choice experiment survey
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389934125002667
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laqiqige-zhu-281602b5/
The Forest Multidisciplinary Project at TCD
https://www.tcd.ie/trinityhaus/research-areas/climate-action-and-sustainability/forest/
Links to some of Zhula's research (co written by Martha O'Hagan-Luff).
Valuing the Invaluable, a review of economic valuations of forest biodiversity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221204162600015X
Investigating barriers to afforestation in Ireland: Insights from a choice experiment survey
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389934125002667
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Forestry and Research Context
00:00 Introduction to Forestry and Research Context
01:18 Understanding Farmers' Reluctance to Afforestation
03:22 Irreversibility: Farmers' Concerns and Perspectives
11:33 Uncertainty in Afforestation Decisions
20:31 Flexibility and Alternative Land Uses
27:41 Future Opportunities: Ecosystem Payments and Biodiversity
34:43 Policy Implications and Recommendations
