Developing a Sustainability Assessment Toolkit for Abaca (Musa textilis) Plantation Agriculture

Abaca (Musa textilis), also known as ‘Manila hemp’, is an agriculturally and commercially important plant grown primarily for the extraction of a hard fibre that has widespread usage, including the manufacturing of teabags, banknotes, decorative papers, bags, carpets, clothing, furniture, ship’s lines, fishing nets, hats, hammocks, matting, cordage, ropes, and canvas, to name a few. The commercial importance of abaca has been growing worldwide as it is increasingly being used as an alternative to petroleum-based synthetic fibres, which have negative environmental impacts.

The abaca fibre industry in Central America is dominated primarily by companies or co-operatives using plantation-type agricultural systems. However, this is not the case in South-East (SE) Asia, from where most of the world’s abaca fibre is sourced. In this region, there are over 50,000 farmers growing abaca primarily on smallholder systems and abaca plantations are only just beginning to appear. It is crucial for these companies and farmers to ensure that their operations are carried out in a sustainable manner. Compliance with sustainability standards is a pre-requisite for product certification, which is increasingly becoming vital for the competitiveness and market access of the companies who use the abaca. Moreover, a failure to fulfil its sustainability obligations can affect the public image of a company and, thereby, create risks of local opposition and resistance to its plantation activities – a trend noted worldwide.

The aim of this proposed PhD project will be to develop a sustainability assessment protocol or toolkit for abaca plantation agriculture. The research team will apply a systems approach, drawing on sustainability science and socio-ecological systems theories, and employ bottom-up, participatory, and multi-stakeholder processes in the development of the protocol. Data for this project will come from Indonesia through a collaboration between Nottingham Trent University and an industry partner.

Entry requirements
A first class or upper second class UK BSc (Hons) degree (or international equivalent) and a Master’s degree in disciplines relating to agricultural or natural resource management is essential.
Applicants having a background in both natural and social sciences are particularly encouraged to apply.
Prior research background in sustainable agriculture and/or sustainability assessment would be an advantage.
The applicant must be willing to travel to and undertake research fieldwork in Indonesia. Two to three travels may be required for a duration of approximately four to six months in total over three years.
The applicant must be fluent in English. Fluency in Indonesian local language (Bahasa Indonesia or Bahasa Malaysia) would be beneficial, but is not a pre-requisite.

Eligibility
Applications can be accepted from UK/EU and also International students. The minimum English language proficiency requirement for candidates who have not undertaken a higher degree at a UK HE institution is IELTS 6.5 (with no element to be below 6.0). For further details please contact the NTU Doctoral School.

Applying
For informal enquiries about the studentship, please contact Dr Mofakkarul Islam at [Email Address Removed].
Application packs can be downloaded from:
https://www4.ntu.ac.uk/research/ntu_doctoral_school/applying_fees_funding/index.html
Please return completed application forms, with copies of academic certificates, to:
[Email Address Removed]

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Monday 19 December 2017 at 5pm. Application by CV only will not be accepted.

The studentship is expected to start from 1 April 2017.