Title: Multi-Stakeholder Negotiation Frameworks for Community-Based Agarwood Agroforestry
Program: PhD in Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiations
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis) is a high-value commodity cultivated in community-based plantations in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. While it offers economic benefits to local communities, conflicts often arise among stakeholders—including farmers, cooperatives, government agencies, and private investors—over land rights, resource access, and revenue sharing. Effective negotiation frameworks are crucial to ensure equitable benefit distribution, sustainable agroforestry practices, and conservation of natural resources.
Problem Statement
Despite its economic and environmental significance, community-based agarwood agroforestry lacks structured negotiation frameworks. This results in suboptimal decision-making, conflicts among stakeholders, and potential ecological degradation.
Research Questions
- What are the key conflicts and negotiation challenges among stakeholders in community-based agarwood agroforestry?
- How can multi-stakeholder negotiation frameworks facilitate equitable benefit-sharing and sustainable management?
- What best practices and policy mechanisms can be adapted for local and regional implementation?
Objectives
General Objective:
To develop and propose effective multi-stakeholder negotiation frameworks for community-based agarwood agroforestry.
Specific Objectives:
- Identify conflicts, interests, and priorities of stakeholders.
- Analyze current governance structures and negotiation practices.
- Design, test, and evaluate participatory negotiation frameworks.
- Provide policy recommendations for equitable and sustainable community-based agarwood management.
Significance of the Study
- Supports conflict resolution and participatory governance.
- Ensures equitable distribution of economic benefits.
- Promotes sustainable and environmentally responsible agroforestry practices.
- Provides policy insights for national and regional replication.
Scope and Delimitations
- Focused on selected community-based agarwood plantations in the Philippines.
- Examines stakeholders including smallholder farmers, cooperatives, local government units, and NGOs.
- Emphasis on negotiation frameworks, participatory decision-making, and conflict resolution; not a technical study of resin production.
CHAPTER 2 – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
- Principles and theories of environmental diplomacy and negotiation.
- Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM).
- Multi-stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution frameworks.
- Case studies of agroforestry negotiation and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
- Socio-economic and environmental aspects of community-based agarwood production.
CHAPTER 3 – MATERIALS AND METHODS
Research Design
- Qualitative case study approach combined with participatory action research (PAR).
Study Sites
- Selection of 3–5 community-based agarwood plantations of varying size, governance, and management structures.
Data Collection
- Stakeholder Mapping: Identify all relevant stakeholders and their roles.
- Interviews: Semi-structured interviews with farmers, cooperatives, local government, NGOs, and private investors.
- Focus Groups: Participatory discussions to explore conflicts, priorities, and negotiation experiences.
- Observation: Documentation of existing decision-making processes and governance mechanisms.
- Document Review: Analyze legal frameworks, agreements, and policies related to community-based agroforestry.
Data Analysis
- Thematic analysis of qualitative data using NVivo or similar software.
- SWOT and stakeholder analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- Design and testing of negotiation frameworks using participatory simulation workshops.
- Evaluation of framework effectiveness based on stakeholder feedback and scenario outcomes.
Ethical Considerations
- Informed consent from all participants.
- Confidentiality and anonymization of sensitive information.
- Approval from relevant Institutional Review Board (IRB).
CHAPTER 4 – EXPECTED RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Expected Results:
- Comprehensive mapping of stakeholder conflicts, interests, and negotiation challenges.
- Identification of key barriers and opportunities for equitable negotiation.
- Development of participatory, multi-stakeholder negotiation frameworks tailored to agarwood agroforestry.
- Recommendations for policy and procedural mechanisms to institutionalize equitable management.
Discussion:
- Comparison with other successful community-based agroforestry negotiation models.
- Implications for governance, equity, and sustainability.
- Lessons learned for scaling frameworks to regional or national levels.
CHAPTER 5 – SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
- The study investigates stakeholder conflicts and designs frameworks for participatory negotiation in community-based agarwood plantations.
Conclusions
- Multi-stakeholder negotiation frameworks can improve equity, decision-making, and sustainability.
- Participatory approaches strengthen local governance and community empowerment.
Recommendations
- Policy: Integrate negotiation frameworks into local and national agroforestry regulations.
- Practice: Conduct capacity-building workshops for stakeholders.
- Research: Monitor long-term outcomes of negotiated agreements and their impact on sustainability.
Proposed Timeline (4-Year PhD Plan)
| Year/Semester | Activities |
|---|---|
| Year 1, Sem 1 | Literature review, conceptual framework, site selection, stakeholder identification |
| Year 1, Sem 2 | Field visits, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, initial data collection |
| Year 2, Sem 1 | Continued data collection, document review, preliminary data analysis |
| Year 2, Sem 2 | Participatory workshops, negotiation simulation exercises, framework design |
| Year 3, Sem 1 | Testing and refining frameworks, feedback sessions with stakeholders |
| Year 3, Sem 2 | Data analysis, cross-case comparison, scenario evaluation |
| Year 4, Sem 1 | Synthesis of results, policy recommendations, manuscript preparation |
| Year 4, Sem 2 | Dissertation writing, defense preparation, final submission |
References
- To be compiled according to institutional guidelines, including literature on environmental negotiation, community-based natural resource management, agroforestry governance, and agarwood production.