Full metadata record
| DC Field | Value | Language |
|---|---|---|
| dc.contributor | Department of Applied Social Sciences | en_US |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Ku, Hok-bun (APSS) | en_US |
| dc.creator | Guo, Shijie | - |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/14211 | - |
| dc.language | English | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Hong Kong Polytechnic University | en_US |
| dc.rights | All rights reserved | en_US |
| dc.title | A new look for pigs : participatory action research on green social work intervention to household pig farming model | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | In rural areas, traditional household pig farming faces challenges due to increasingly stricter environmental policies and inefficiencies in resource utilization, profoundly impacting farmers' livelihoods and the environment. This study employs participatory action research to explore the feasibility and potential significance of integrating green social work into household pig farming. Conducted in two rounds, the first round aimed to improve farming conditions through policy advocacy and securing legal status, though without success. The second round shifted its focus to addressing farmers' practical needs, including relocating pigsties to avoid policy risks, stabilizing livelihoods through tripartite cooperation, and promoting green farming practices by reducing antibiotic use, exploring traditional disease prevention methods, adopting natural feed over commercial alternatives, and introducing technical innovations. The study achieved initial success, offering a new practical pathway for improving farmers' livelihoods and ecological governance, while also identifying key mechanisms and challenges in driving sustainable changes. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | Significant changes were observed in villagers' household pig farming practices before and after the action. First, relocating pigsties to areas far from residential zones gradually brought farming activities into regulatory compliance, stabilizing farmers' livelihoods by mitigating policy risks. Second, the introduction of low-cost facility upgrades and practical technologies—such as repurposing recycled materials for pigsty renovations and developing semi-automated feeding systems—significantly enhanced farmers' willingness to invest in sustainable farming. Third, green farming practices substantially increased the market value of ecological pork, leading to markedly higher incomes compared to traditional farming methods, while risk-sharing mechanisms reduced financial losses. Fourth, villagers drastically reduced antibiotic use, adopting natural feed and traditional farming methods, which reduced environmental pollution and lowered costs. Additionally, the research established technical, market, and policy support networks, providing farmers with learning and resource channels that greatly improved their farming skills and market competitiveness. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | Through these two rounds of action, the study identified core mechanisms driving farmers' adoption of green farming practices. First, meeting farmers' basic needs—such as providing a stable production and living environment and reducing farming risks through risk-sharing mechanisms—forms the foundation for change. Second, income growth serves as the primary driver, as higher market values for ecological pork have significantly improved farmers' economic conditions. Finally, a vision for future development provides farmers with confidence and motivation, supported by technical assistance and resource networks that enable access to advanced technologies and enhance competitiveness and sustainability. These changes emphasize the important role of green social work in improving rural livelihoods and promoting ecological conservation. At the same time, the establishment of these mechanisms also provides a solid foundation for reducing breeding pollution, promoting green breeding, and advancing the construction of ecological civilization, echoing the core environmental goals of green social work. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | This study further highlights the potential role of social workers not only in policy formulation, petition handling, and environmental public interest litigation, but also as key intermediaries connecting farmers with environmental governance processes. This research offers a starting point for exploring harmony between society and ecology and calls for more scholars and practitioners to join the field of green social work to promote the integration of ecological conservation and social development. | en_US |
| dcterms.extent | xviii, 261 pages : color illustrations | en_US |
| dcterms.isPartOf | PolyU Electronic Theses | en_US |
| dcterms.issued | 2025 | en_US |
| dcterms.educationalLevel | DSW | en_US |
| dcterms.educationalLevel | All Doctorate | en_US |
| dcterms.accessRights | restricted access | en_US |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8666.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 4.19 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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