World better off today then fifty years ago free essay sample

Was the World A Better Place Fifty Years Ago? Life was simpler years ago unemployment was not a Issue with a good economy taking place people had good paying jobs allowing them take care of thier familys and afford to pay their bills. Jobs were readly avaiable for skilled labors as manufacturing Jobs and cost burdons being placed on companies ,they started to out source jobs to other countries and the cost to do bussness in America was to much so people were losing there Jobs and those Jobs will never return causing greater nemployment. As we sit down for a family gathering the conversation came up between my brother and i about how people are getting along in America today and trying to make him understand that people are not better off today then fifty years ago due to Job loss. unemplyoment In May 1953 was the lowest ever, being 2. 50% and in November 1982 ,being the highest 10. We will write a custom essay sample on World better off today then fifty years ago or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 80% and the average annual rate in 1948 was 5. 82% In August of 2013 the annual unemployment rate was 7. 30%. People today are finding t harder to find good paying full time work since (2007)and due to the job losses people are lossing thier homes to foreclouser in record numbers enough that the goverment had to step in and save people from finaclal ruins. The goverment also had to bail out the auto industry and banks to keep us from complete colapes. Companies are laying off older long term employees and replacing them with part time workers so they do not have to pay for health Insurance and retirements.

Raffles Hotel free essay sample

Hotel in Singapore Full Situational Audit of the Raffles Hotel and Develop a Strategic Place for the next 3 Years. Cover Page: Student Number, Module Code, Title, Module Tutor Table of Contents, List of Tables, Figures and Appendices Introduction Explaining the Purpose of the Report Brief Company Overview (10% of the assignment mark) 400 words External Audit: analysis of relevant macro-environmental (PESTE) and industry dynamics (Porter’s Five Forces), an assignment of competition and evaluation of Key Success Factors. The application David’s Factor Evaluation (EFE) matrix might assist your analytical process (30%) 1200 words Internal Audit: Analysis of the company’s strategic positioning in the marketplace and key target segments, an evaluation of the corporate portfolio and expansion strategies in relation to the firm’s centric approach and a comprehensive strengths-weaknesses analysis of current resources and competences, value chain activities and value networks. The application David’s Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) matrix might assist your analytical process (30%) 1200 words Strategic plan for the next three years: This should include an evaluation of strategic options (TOWS matrix), the development of a new sales target, SMART objectives, the development of a mix of suitable strategies and a monitoring, control and contingency plan. We will write a custom essay sample on Raffles Hotel or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page (30%) 1200 words List of references Company Overview Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style hotel in Singapore. It was established by two Armenian brothers from Persia—Martin and Tigran Sarkies—in 1887. In later years they were joined by younger brothers Aviet and Arshak and kinsman Martyrose Arathoon. With their innovative cuisine and extensive modernisations, the firm built the hotel into Singapores best known icon. It was named afterStamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, whose statue had been unveiled in 1887. The hotel is currently managed byFairmont Raffles Hotels International and houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum, and Victorian-style theatre. Raffles Hotel has a shopping arcade housing boutique brands such as Louis Vuitton, Surrender, and Tiffany Co.. The arcade houses most of the hotels restaurants. It also has shops such as the custom tailor, CYC The Custom Shop,[9] which makes shirts for Singapores first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and the third and current prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong. The third floor of the arcade houses the Raffles Hotel Museum and Jubilee Hall. Accommodation The hotel has 103 suites: 84 Courtyard and Palm Court Suites 12 Personality Suites 5 Grand Hotel Suites 2 Presidential Suites Activities 15 Restaurants and bars Raffles Spa Outdoor swimming pool Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade Jubilee Hall theatre Raffles Hotel gardens Gymnasium Event spaces Executive centre Business Services A team of 24-hour personal Raffles butlers endeavours to assist hotel guests in all matters of business and leisure throughout their stay. The Executive Centre is another haven where residents can work or relax at their wish. Designed as a study, it is fitted with personal computer workstations and printers, and stocked with a selection of international newspapers, business magazines as well as commercial/industrial trade directories. The perfect location for a business meeting, Raffles Singapore features seven function rooms for events of up to 350 guests. With a choice of rooms, attentive service and all the technology you would expect, we’ll make it happen exactly the way you want it Facilities Outdoor Swimming Pool Bar Luxuriate in an exclusive haven by the rooftop pool, set amidst the lush tropical surroundings. Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade stands as an oasis of calm amidst the busy city and is an integral part of the world-renowned Raffles Singapore. The shopping arcade offers an extraordinary experience to discerning shoppers both locally and from around the world. It houses over 35 international and regional fashion and designer stores, as well as the popular Raffles Shop with fascinating memorabilia and collectibles available for purchase. Jubilee Hall A charming, Victorian-style theatre playhouse seating 388 guests, Jubilee Hall is noted as a premier cultural venue for varied repertoires and ceremonies. Sir Charles Flowers For The Gentleman With a bloom for the gentleman to shower upon his lady and a posy for the lady to accord her gentleman, let the distinguished flowers from Sir Charles speak for you. From hand posies and hand bouquets to potted floras and lavish arrangements, Sir Charles has a delightful bloom for every joyous occasion. Gardens at Raffles Hotel Raffles Singapore is perfectly accompanied by the lush greenery and the landscaping which make up a quarter of the total land area of the Hotel. The gardens and courtyards at the hotel include the Palm Court, Palm Garden, Fern Court, The Lawn, Raffles Courtyard and Raffles Square. An iconic plant found in the gardens of Raffles Singapore is the Travellers Palm, which as tales would tell, has been known to save the lives of travellers in search of water with its fan-shaped foliage providing welcoming shade. The leaves are also said to be aligned on an East-West axis, thus pointing travellers in the right direction. Limousine Service Arrive in style at the grand gravel driveway of Raffles Singapore with our chauffeured limousine service, or be whisked away to your next destination after your stay with us. Our classic Daimler or Bentley limousines promise to transport you to the glorious heydays of a bygone era, without which no Raffles experience is complete. A luxurious fleet of other modern limousines are also available. Family Outdoor Swimming Pool Luxuriate in an exclusive haven by the rooftop pool, set amidst the lush tropical surroundings. Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade stands as an oasis of calm amidst the busy city and is an integral part of the world-renowned Raffles Singapore. The shopping arcade offers an extraordinary experience to discerning shoppers both locally and from around the world. It houses over 35 international and regional fashion and designer stores, as well as the popular Raffles Shop with fascinating memorabilia and collectibles available for purchase. Resident Historian Experience a tour with Raffles Singapore’s very own Resident Historian Leslie Danker who has been with the hotel for almost 40 years. 24-Hour Butler Service At Raffles Singapore, we want our hotel guests to feel the ultimate service from our hearts. Delivering a high level of discreet and attentive service is the role of the Raffles butler. We call that ‘service with a gentle breeze’. The butler team can also make arrangements for babysitting services, offer children’s amenities such as toys and games, should you require them.

10 Lead Element Facts (Pb or Atomic Number 82)

10 Lead Element Facts (Pb or Atomic Number 82) Lead is a heavy metal you encounter in everyday life in solder, stained glass windows, and possibly your drinking water. Here are 10 lead element facts. Fast Facts: Lead Element Name: LeadElement Symbol: PbAtomic Number: 82Atomic Weight: 207.2Element Category: Basic Metal or Post-Transition MetalAppearance: Lead is a metallic gray solid at room temperature.Electron Configuration:  [Xe] 4f14  5d10  6s2  6p2Oxidation State: The most common oxidation state is 2, followed by 4. The 3, 1, 1-, 2-, and 4- states also occur. Interesting Lead Element Facts Lead has atomic number 82, which means each lead atom has 82 protons. This is the highest atomic number for the stable elements. Natural lead consists of a mixture of 4 stable isotopes, although radioisotopes also exist. The element name lead comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for the metal.  Its chemical symbol is Pb, which is based on the word plumbum, the old Latin name for lead.Lead is a considered a basic metal or post-transition metal. It is a shiny blue-white metal when freshly cut, but oxidizes to a dull gray in air. It is a shiny chrome-silver when melted. While lead is dense, ductile, and malleable like many other metals, several of its properties are not what one would consider metallic. For example, the metal has a low melting point (327.46  oC)  and is a poor conductor of electricity.Lead is one of the metals that was known to ancient man. It is sometimes called the first metal (although the ancients also knew gold silver, and other metals). Alchemists associated the metal with the planet Saturn and quested for a way to transmute lead into gold. Over half the lead produced today is used in lead-acid car batteries. While lead does occur (rarely) in nature in its pure form, most of the lead produced today comes from recycled batteries. Lead is found in the mineral galena (PbS) and ores of copper, zinc, and silver.  Lead is highly toxic. The element primarily affects the central nervous system. It is particularly dangerous to babies and children, where lead exposure can stunt development. Lead is a cumulative poison. Unlike many toxins, there really is no safe exposure level to lead, even though it is present in many common materials.Lead is the only metal which exhibits zero Thomson effect. In other words, when an electrical current is passed through a sample of lead, heat is neither absorbed nor released.While modern scientists can readily distinguish most elements, it used to be difficult to tell lead and tin apart because the two metals share so many similar properties. So, for a long time the two elements were considered to be different forms of the same metal. The ancient Romans referred to lead as plumbum nigrum, which means black lead. They called tin plumbum candidum, which means bright lead. Wood pencils have never actually contained lead, even though lead is soft enough it could be used for writing. Pencil lead is a type of graphite the Romans called  plumbago, which means act for lead. The name stuck, even though the two materials are different. Lead is, however, related to graphite. Graphite is a form or allotrope of carbon. Lead belongs to the carbon family of elements.There are countless uses for lead. Because of its high corrosion resistance, the ancient Romans used it for plumbing. While this sounds like a dangerous practice, hard water forms scale inside pipes, lessening exposure to the toxic element. Even in modern times, lead solder has been common for welding plumbing fixtures. Lead has been added to gasoline to reduce engine knock, to face paints and paints used for toys and buildings, and even in cosmetics and foods (in the past) to add a sweet flavor. It is used to make stained glass, leaded crystal, fishing sinkers, radiation shields, bullets, scuba weig hts, roofing, ballasts, and statues. While once common as a paint additive and pesticide, lead compounds are less commonly used now because of their lingering toxicity. The sweet taste of the compounds makes them attractive to children and pets. The abundance of lead in the Earths crust is  14 parts per million by weight. The abundance in the solar system is  10 parts per billion by weight.

Dance in Primitive cultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Dance in Primitive cultures - Essay Example Such forces are also said to have promoted fertility, controlled weather, and led to success in warfare. As a result, the forces had a say in tribal well-being and human survival. Originally, man used dance to implore god on various occasions that were crucial in life (West Virginia University 20). Moreover, it is also thought that dance in these cultures begun as a gesture. This was used as a form of communication. Afterward, there was use of gestures such as facial expressions and combination of a guttural sound and action to reinforce an ideal (West Virginia University 20). As a result, dance was used as a means of telling stories or passing information. However, in this era, there was lack of proper speech. As a result, man was forced to use recognizable gesture. For success, man was forced to supplement movements with the cries of animals and other natural sounds. On the other hand, there was inspiration to the primitive dance. The most significant source of inspiration was the birds and animals (West Virginia University 21). Primitive man was knowledgeable of living things that surrounded him as he interacted with them. Man fought with living things or survival, hunted for food and clothing and managed to know their character (West Virginia University 21). Primitive people also had an animist religion; they thought animals had souls and were similar to man. The perception was linked to natural phenomenon that surrounded man such the sun and death. Primitive man also has an opportunity to dance with animals. Man insects and some animals perform ritualized movement patterns that appear almost similar to man conception of dance. Hence, the dance-like movements of animals inspired the dance of primitive man. On the other hand, dance played a significant role in the primitive society. One of such role was in religion. In the performance of rituals, ancient man simpler imitative movements became changed

Writing Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Writing Assignment - Essay Example Our superior staff and workforce, however, have been able to contribute to our steady growth despite overall industry patterns. Our current expansion plans include adding a sizable number of professional, high-tech jobs requiring the skills that you possess. As a former employee, you would have a distinct advantage as a valuable addition to our staff. Many companies are reluctant to rehire their former employees, and EDS has carefully considered the effects of this course of action. We believe strongly that the events that led us to make this offer were the inevitable result of unforeseen business forces. EDS admires your sense of individuality and in no way feels that it reflects on your loyalty or commitment as a business professional. While we can not guarantee that a position will be available for you, or that you would return to your original title, we are open to discussing your future with EDS. I would like to say that we appreciate your past performance and hard work at EDS and sincerely hope that you would consider continuing our positive relationship. I'm confident that as EDS continues to innovate and expand, you could make an important contribution to the future performance and progress of EDS. Again, I would like to say that you have the background and knowledge we are seeking to move EDS forward into the future.

Factors Affecting Tea Production Schemes

Factors Affecting Tea Production Schemes FACTORS AFFECTING FARMERS’ CHOICE REGARDING PRODUCTION SCHEMES OF TEA PRODUCTION IN PHU THO PROVINCE, VIETNAM I. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Since the economic reform named â€Å"Doi moi† in 1986, Vietnamese economy transformed from centrally-planned economy to socialist-oriented market economy. Thanks to the reformation, Vietnam gained remarkable achievements in economic development. In period from 1986-2010, annual per capital GDP growth of Vietnam was 5.3%, staying at the second to the fastest GDP growth rate among Asian countries (McKinsey Global Institute, 2012). Consequently, poverty rate has declined significantly from approximately 70% at the end of 80th decade to about 10% in 2004 and Vietnam became a low middle-income country in 2008 (Tran, 2013). Along with the development of economy, agricultural sector has experienced improvement and contributed significantly to overall economy. Production value of agriculture, forestry and aquaculture in 2012 according to constant price in 1994 was 255.2 thousand billion dong, increasing 3.4% compared to 2011. Moreover, export value of agricultural and forestry produc ts reached 17.7 billion USD in 2012, increasing 18% compared to last previous year (General Statistics Office, 2013). Tea is recognized as one of the strategic commodity for exportation of Vietnam. In particular, in 2012, Vietnam exported about 146.7 thousand tons of tea and export value was 224.6 million USD, increasing 8.67% in terms of quantity and 9.29% in terms of export value compared to 2011 (GSO, 2013). Vietnam is the fifth largest exporter of tea in the world after India, China, Sri Lanka, and Kenya in terms of export volume. Export market of Vietnamese tea ara Pakistan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Russia, China, USA, etc. In order to have such achievement in terms of export, tea production has expanded over last 12 years. In 2001, harvested area of tea in Vietnam was 74.7 thousand ha and it was expanded to 115.8 thousand ha in 2012, compound annual growth rate for the period 2001-2012 was 4.06%. Meanwhile, compound annual growth rate for tea production in such period was 7.8%, from 340.5 thousand tons in 2001 to 923.1 thousand tons in 2012 (GSO, 2013). Tea is planted in many places in Vietnam, but mainly focus on five regions: Northwest (Son La, Lai Chau), Northeast (Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai), Northern midlands (Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Bac Can, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Nam Tuyen Quang), North Central (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh), and Central Highlands (Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Kontum). 1.2 Statement of the Problem Phu Tho is an upland province located in Northeast of Vietnam. This region has high poverty rate of Vietnam with 17.39% in 2012 (MOLISA, 2013). In which, the poverty rate of Phu Tho province in 2011 was 17% (GSO, 2012). Thanks to natural conditions that are favorable for tea production, tea product from this region has been well-known in Vietnam. Tea production plays an important role in economic production of Phu Tho province. Tea production has been expected to created job opportunities and enhanced income of tea farmers. In order to encourage tea sector in local area, Phu Tho province has many favorable policies, programs to support farmers regarding seeds, fertilizers, techniques, extension services, and so on. Specifically, decision 23/2001/QÄ -UBND dated 20th December 2011 of People Committee of Phu Tho province mentioned support of agricultural programs in period 2012-2011, including tea commodity. However, tea production in Phu Tho province still has existing problems. Tea productivity is low due to old tea trees. In 2011, average productivity of tea in Phu Tho province was only 0.84 ton/ ha (Quoc, 2013). Furthermore, the problem of overuse of pesticides also brings about low quality of tea products. Moreover, the integration in production and consumption among farmers and tea processing enterprises in Phu Tho province is weak. Last but not least, tea farmers lack of knowledge and skills of modern production techniques and harvesting techniques as well. According to Thang, et al (2004), tea farmers have 4 different classifications including: unlinked farmers, contract farmers, worker farmers, and cooperative farmers. Corresponding with that are 4 schemes of production: Individuals, contract farming, waged agricultural workers and cooperatives. However, Wal (2008) stated that there are three main schemes of production corresponding to three types of tea producers in Vietnam: individual farmers (mostly smallholders), contracted farmers and worker farmers. 1.3 Objectives of the Study The main objective of the study is to determine factors that affect famers in selection of production schemes of tea production in Phu Tho province, Vietnam. Moreover, this study specifically aims to: + Identify the production schemes of tea farmers in Phu Tho province. + Identify difficulties and opportunities of farmers in each type of tea production; and + Recommend solutions that would help farmers to promote tea production and to improve their livelihood. 1.4 Significance of the Study The study of â€Å"Factors affecting farmers’ choice regarding production schemes of tea production in Phu Tho province, Vietnam† would help local officials and policy makers to have better understanding about those types of tea production. Therefore, appropriate policies would be recommended. Then, tea production and livelihoods of tea farmers in Phu Tho province would be improved. II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1 Review of contract farming 2.1.1 Definition of contract farming Contract farming has been applied all over the world for long time and there are many definitions about contract farming from different scientists and studies. Eaton and Shepherd (2001) stated that contract farming is a kind of agreement which farmers and processing or marketing firms agree with each other in integration regarding production and supply of agricultural products at fixed prices. Contract farming is also considered as a form of vertical integration in agricultural commodity chains. The firms, therefore, would have better control over production, quantity, quality, and the time to decide what commodity is produced (Prowse, 2012). 2.1.2 Types of contract farming The form of contract farming can vary in reality depending on the agreement of farmers and firms. According to Eaton and Shepherd (2001), contract farming can be divided into five models: The centralized model; the nucleus estate model; the multipartite model; the informal model; and the intermediary model. The centralized model: This is a kind of vertical integration where the firm purchases products from farmers and the firms will process and market the products. This kind of contract farming is often applied for tobacco, cotton, sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, cocoa and rubber. The extent of the involvement of the firms is diversified. The firms can provide only seed or provide land preparation, seeds, fertilizers extension services, and so on. The nucleus estate model: The firms have their own estate plantation where they make a pilot model of production for particular crop. Then, the firms will introduce the techniques of such models to farmers. The model is often used for people who are resettled and transmigrated. The multipartite model: This model involves a number of stakeholders including legislative bodies with farmers. Those bodies would be international company, provincial companies, joint-venture companies, and village committees, etc. Each stakeholder with be responsible for each stage of production and marketing such as inputs, credit, processing, and marketing. The informal model: This kind of model is suitable for individual enterprises or small firms. Specifically, the firms have contracts with farmers based on season that is why such contract is applied to fresh vegetables, and tropical fruits. In this kind of model, inputs are limited to seeds and fertilizers. Apart from that, technical advices are only available for grading and quality control. The intermediary model: When it comes to this kind of contract farming, the firms usually purchase products from collectors or middlemen who have informal contract with farmers. Since collectors appear between farmers and the firms, it brings about problems of lower income for farmer, and poorer quality. 2.1.3 Benefits to farmers from contract farming Access to reliable market: Market can be considered as one of the most important issues for farmers. Farmers usually face difficulty in terms of market, they lack of information and they do not know where they can sell products with better price. Thus, farmers should know where they can sell their products before they produce it. Contract farming can help farmers to deal with this issue by linking farmers with reliable markets. This is consistent with study of Eaton and Shepherd (2001) and Setboonsarng (2008). Access to credit: Farmers often encounter problem of credit to buy inputs or to expand production. This problem for small-scale farmers is more pressing than that of large-scale farmers. Setbonarng (2008) argued that farmers are constrained to credit in developing countries, even in places where microfinance exist. This is due to the fact that bank usually offer loans to microenterprises rather than agricultural production. Consequently, many smallholders cannot access credit at all (Glover Kusterer, 1990; Hayami Otsuka, 1993). The study of Simmons (2002) also has same conclusion regarding credit issue. + Provision of inputs: By joining contract farming, farmers can be provided inputs by firms or contractors. Those inputs would be seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Provision of inputs would reduce transaction cost per unit of output (Nagaraj, et al, 2008; and Bijman, 2008). + Reduction in risk of price fluctuation: farmers, who do not have contract and often sell their products to the spot market, usually have to face price fluctuation. Contract farming would overcome this problem. This is owing to the fact that the firms would specify the price in advance and this process is made during the time of contract negotiation (Eaton and Shepherd 2001; Setboonsarng, 2008; and Baumann, 2000). + Improvement of technology: Simmons (2002) argued that in the absence of contract farming, farmers have to face high cost of gathering technical information. Frequently, contract farming requires a certain level of quality. Also, the firms would support extension services and introduce new technology to farmers in order to have better quality for the products. This is also the same with conclusion of Bijman (2008) and Eaton Shepherd (2001). 2.1.4 Empirical studies on contract farming in agriculture The situation of contract farming between Tanganda Tea Estate and farmers is an example. Tamgada Tea Company has operating an outgrower schemes for large-scale farmers for several years. Then in 1975, they started their business with small-scale farmers. The form of contract is verbal in English and vernacular and there is no definite duration for the contract. Under the agreement, the company supported inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and credit with low interest rate to farmers. The payment will be deducted at the payment of final green leaf. Company also provided free technical advice and transport services to farmers. In 1998, the company had full-time outgrower Extension Officers who help small-scale farmers to increase technical production (Woodend, 2003). Can (2008) stated that the largest contract farming in rice sector exists between Ankor Kasekam Roonoeung Co Ltd (AKR), a private company, and rice farmers. The company mostly exports Neang Mails (an aromatic Cambodian rice variety) to international market. The number of people joining the contract with the company has been increasing from 100 farmers at the beginning to 27,345 farmers in 2003 and 32,005 farmers in 2008. Under the contract, the company plays an important role in every stage of production and marketing as well. The company is the one who choose suitable area for growing rice, establish farmers associations, recruit new farmers, deliver seeds and technical support, monitor and solve problems in production, collect and purchase rice from farmers, sort and classify milled paddy into different kinds, and export to other countries including European countries, Australia, and Hong Kong. According to the contract, the company distributes Neang Mails seeds in credit to farmers in July, and then the company will buys output from October to January of the following year. The contract clearly includes the amount of seeds that the farmers have to return, the minimum prices, and penalties for contract violation. However, the contract does not include explicitly the penalties to the companies when they do not buy output of farmers at the negotiated prices. Moreover, the company establishes commune associations to support implementation of the contract. Each association has function of monitoring process and reporting to the company. Aside from that, associations also provide technical advice to their members. Setboonsarng, Leung, and Stefan (2008) had study about rice contract farming in Lao PDR. Authors mentioned a case study of contract rice farming in Vientiane province. Lao Arrowny Corporation was established in 2002, a joint venture between Lao and Japanese investors. The company produces Japanese rice and exports to Japanese expatriates in Southeast Asia. In 2004, the company had contract with approximately 2,000 farmers and total rice land of 800 ha. The criteria of the contract include three main points: farmers own their own rice land; farmers who want to become member of farmers’ association have to work hard and the decision will be given by fellow farmers; and farmers are not allowed to use chemical fertilizers in production. By implementing contract with the company, farmer will receive premium price which is included in the contract. In addition to this, the company supplies seeds, fertilizer and technical assistance. 2.2 Review of cooperatives 2.2.1 Definition of cooperatives 2.2.2 Benefits to farmers from cooperatives 2.2.3 Empirical studies on cooperatives in agriculture III. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 3.1 Conceptual framework 3.2 Hypotheses of the study V. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Types and Sources of Data Primary data would be collected by deep interviews key informants in production chains of tea sector at Phu Tho province. Also, deep interviews will be implemented with Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Phu Tho province, Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, etc. Moreover, Implementation of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) in order to collect general information about current situation of tea production and factors that affect choice of tea farmers among production types at Phu Tho province. Last but not least, questionnaire survey will be conducted to collect information about situation of tea production, factors that affect choice of tea farmers in production integration at Phu Tho province, constraints and opportunities of farmer in each chain of tea production. In terms of secondary data, Documents related to tea production at Phu Tho province will be collected to have better understanding of current situation of tea production at Phu Tho province. 4.2 Sampling Method Sample size will be chosen by Yamane formula (1967) as follows: Where:n = sample size N = population size e = sampling error, e = 5% Analytical Tools To analyze factors that impact farmers’ choice in production types, the multinomial logit (MNL) model will be used. Because sum of the probabilities must equal to one, we have J types of production, and therefore we have J-1 estimated equations. And the most common type of production will be chosen as reference category. According to Greene (2003), the general formula for MNL is as follows: Where: Yi is random variable that denotes the farmers’ decisions among production types. xi is 1xK vector of farmers’ characteristics. ÃŽ ²j is a Kx1 vector of parameters. From equation (1), we can compute J log-odds ratios: Marginal effects could be computed by taking derivative of equations (1) with respect to xi as follows: LITERATURE CITED BAUMANN, P., 2000. Equity and Efficiency in contract farming schemes: The experience of agricultural tree crops. Working paper 139. UK: Overseas Development Institute. BIJMAN, J., 2008. Contract farming in developing countries. CAI, J. et al., 2008. Rice contract farming in Cambodia: Empowering farmers to move beyond the contract toward independence. ADB Institute Discussion Paper No. 109. DECISION 23/2001/QÄ -UBND dated 20th December 2011 of People Committee of Phu Tho province mentioned support of agricultural programs in period 2012-2011. DECISION No. 80/2002/QD-TTg of June 24, 2002, on policies to encourage agricultural product sale via contract farming. EATON, C. and SHEPHERD, A.W., 2001. Contract farming – Partnerships for growth. FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin 145. GLOVER, D. and KUSTERER, K., 1990. Small farmers, big business: Contract farming and rural development. Macmillan, London. HAYAMI, Y. and Otsuka, K., 1993. The economics of contract choice. Oxford University Press, Oxford. MCKINSEY GLOBAL INSTITUTE, 2012. Sustaining Vietnam’s growth: The productivity challenge. MOLISA, 2013. Decision 749/QÄ -LÄ TBXH dated 13 May 2013 about approval of result of poverty household in 2012. NAGARAJ, N. and et al., 2008. Contract farming and its implications for input-supply, linkages between markets and farmers in Karnataka. PROWSE, M., 2012. Contract farming in developing countries – a review. QUOC, V., 2013. Baophutho.vn, Efficiency improvement of tea commodity in Phu Tho province: current status and solutions, [online] available at: http://baophutho.vn/kinh-te/cong-nghiep/201210/nang-cao-hieu-qua-cay-che-phu-tho-thuc-trang-va-giai-phap-2200410/> [Accessed 26th Jan 2014]. SETBOONSARNG, S., 2008. Global partnership in poverty reduction: contract farming and regional cooperation. SETBOONSARNG, S., LEUNG, P. and STEFAN, A., 2008. Rice contract farming in Lao DPR: Moving from subsistence to commercial agriculture. ADB Institute Discussion Paper No. 90. SIMMONS, P., 2002. Overview of smallholder contract farming in developing countries. THANG, T.C. et al., 2004. The participation of the poor in agricultural value chains: A case study of tea. TRAN, V.T., 2013. Vietnamese Economy at the Crossroads: New Doi Moi for Sustained Growth. WAL, S.V.D., 2008. Sustainability issues in the tea sector. A comparative analysis of six leading producing countries. WOODEND, J.J., 2003. Potential of contract farming as a mechanism for the commercialization of smallholder agriculture, the Zimbabwe case study. APPENDIX Appendix: Export volume and export value of tea commodity in period 2002-2012 GSO and trademap, 2013

Inspirational ideas and thinking Essay

How can a certain story thrill our sense and especially our understanding about the real world? The Lord of the Rings is a story depicting the people’s thirst and desire for power which caused them to oppress mankind and the battle between good and evil. Tolkien created this story during the first ever made world war and continued it until the Second World War happened. Eventually, Tolkien was determined by taking the challenge of making a world symbolized by mythology. Back in his period, he loved tale telling to children and at those children that he was inspired to create the hobbit’s existence. This story is considered as better than that of the other fantasy stories because lord of the rings tells more about reality, the story was not made just to entertain nor thrill the readers and watchers of the book and movies, rather because the movie depicts more about true events. You can even see patterns of similarity in some of the world’s history in the different parts of the trilogy. The story wanted readers to realize that there are such people in earth that possesses greed of power and that greed causes them to create cruelty to mankind and destruction to other territory, nation, and to the person himself. The lord of the ring story can be like our socio-political and also economical structure which was tended to be showed by creating the film. The film was made for people to clearly envision and comprehend the world (Eaton, 2003). The lord of the ring has been successful because people appreciated its artistic way of showing the parallelism between the story itself and the reality about the world in which it is hidden. The film was said to be making everyone believe that there are really changes that had happened in the world; from a world of calmness and peace into a chaotic world of war. It showed the history when a person desired and went on chasing for the power to certainly have the authority above all people, a person who really wanted to rule the world. This part was depicted when everyone seemed to desire the ring’s power and all the troubles in the story then started in the journey of the ring bearer (Eaton, 2003). In the story of the lord of the ring, a lot of enemies were chasing the ring bearer because they wanted to have the power, battles always happen because â€Å"Frodo† the ring bearer does not want to hand the ring to those who are evil. It is showed in the reality when two countries were starving for the power, the power that will make them to be above all, which is depicted by the ring, caused them to plan for destruction to each other’s territory. And a lot of people were killed who innocently knew nothing about the war (Eaton, 2003). Like the story part of the two towers, it is seen from a certain people, in the desert country part of the earth, who wanted to conquer the middle earth through their power, but had failed from successfully doing so, they are now dead but still their aim was said to be alive because of their avid followers who continuously plan for another conquer (Eaton, 2003). The story of the twin towers of the Lord of the Rings is about the hunger for power in order to be the king that has the authority above all. The middle-earth is depicting the real world in which they both have the same characteristics of cruelty and greed for power. Another example event of this that can be seen from the events on the history is about the World War II in which a certain leader of a certain territory and a dictator of another territory merged their full power and invaded another territory to conquer. It was the history of domination of a certain continent of the world with the use of power and authority (Eaton, 2003). The story of the Lord of the Ring was based on a reality which inspired the writer of the story. It started from a true story of history about war in where the author grew up. The languages, in which the author of the book wrote, came from a place whose dialect was never listed as a part of that place’s language. The author developed it with the combination of his own styles of language and created then the language for his elves character (Society. , 1996-2007). Tolkien wrote his epic making the ring as a material thing that depicts the evilness, it is explained that the ring has its own willing power; it has the power to control the person who uses it no matter what the person do to stop it from its willing power (Novelguide.com, 1999-2007). According to the author, the ring cannot be used for good purposes but rather it is only used for doing evil things and that it controls the person no matter how strong he resist from doing something evil (Novelguide. com, 1999-2007). Tolkien said that the ring is evil in its nature which comes from both human’s inner initiative and an outer force that commands him (Novelguide. com, 1999-2007). In reality, I can say that the â€Å"ring† is the power with the combination of being greed possessed by a person; it is what makes them do evil. An over desire for power and authority makes people lose their heart in exchange for ego contentment. The ring is believed to be an evil in nature because it corrupts the person’s kindness and change it into strong desires. The ring drags the person to do extremes which is unstoppable because it has an unending power. According to Tolkien the ring is a symbol of strong power. In the trilogy of the ring Frodo sees a lot of knight riding horses only when he wears the ring and loses sight of them when he removes it from his finger (Novelguide.com, 1999-2007). It is also like the evilness that power can arise to a person’s character, that because of the privileges that the power gives that certain person that he could not see the negative side of those things he tend to do; that only if he lose his power would he understand what he had caused and only when he lose his power would he return to his true self again. Power is like a chest of gold that will make a person capable of obtaining everything that he or she desires for him or herself that’s why it can bring out the evil side of a person. It can change a person from a goodhearted one into a greed and cruel person. In reality many of the listed people in history were written because of their negative leadership or cruelty to mankind because they have in their hands an uncontrollable power. Like when an authoritative and powerful man in the World War II told his soldiers to kill all the Jews. It was an act of evilness that he was able to do because he possesses a lot of power in him that blinded him from the distinction between good and evil (Novelguide. com, 1999-2007). The author of the story said that a man who has the ring will not be able to die but will not also be able to acquire more of his life; rather he will continue his life until such time that the evilness will conquer him (Novelguide. com, 1999-2007). This statement of the author tends to explain that a person who acquired great power and used it for evilness will never die, it is because he may be written in history with all the negative things he had done. But then the darkness will conquer his soul in exchange (Novelguide. com, 1999-2007). The lord of the rings by Tolkien does not have gods; people rely on their selves as in reality which is considered the philosophy of communism by Karl Marx in which states that people rely on their capabilities and that God exist only in people’s mind because they tend to seek for someone to save them. The evilness occurs because people abuse their powers and tends to have and desire more power that that of what they already posses. In the trilogy of the lord of the ring, Frodo with his other companions such as Sam, Aragorn, and Gandalf went to a dangerous journey heading the place of Mordor where they planned to totally destroy the ring. In their journey, the ring bearer with his friends had gone through a lot of fights against the dark ones. This scene depicts how people tend to stop the true evil in this world, which they seek of a way of how to destroy the force that creates evil even in a life threatening way. The movie tended to show that it is better to lose ones life that that of to lose the life of the crowd. Another interpretation that could be made through the story in relation with the World War II is that Tolkien depicted the ring as the noxious weapon used in the war. That certain weapon is the atomic bomb which killed a lot of innocent people and ruined a lot of territories (Roch, 2005). It is said that Tolkien indeed based his work from the real war of the early ages in which it mirrors the two territories’ true event which is horrifying. The two places were said to be Mordor and the dreadful devastation of Shire in the lord of the rings trilogy (Roch, 2005). The characters of evil or the soldiers of the evil Lord Sauron whose appearance are like decaying body of dead people are also based from the authors experience during the war (Roch, 2005). When Tolkien went back to his place, the place was literally ruined and he saw a lot of corpses which no one can endure to stare at because of its decaying appearance (Roch, 2005). The place of Mordor may also be depicted to the ruined or wrecked place after the world war; the trees were all destructed, all plants are destroyed as well as the soil turned out to be black which turned to be a mud (Roch, 2005). I could say that the author depicted the ring as everyone fears to hold because it is self destructive and also it is so powerful to destroy anything and anyone else. In the World War II, people were also afraid of the bomb which Tolkien said that the ring symbolizes because in the same way, they both may lead into cruel outcome. In the story of the lord of the rings’ last part which is the return of the king, Frodo and the others succeeded in destroying the king and soon gave a new hope to all the people in their territory because they were able to have a new king in which Aragorn has portrayed. In reality with the world war II, after the cruel dictator was missing not knowingly what happened to him, the people had a new hope for a new peaceful life because the evil was already destroyed. In consideration with evilness and goodness, the trilogy of the lord of the rings has symbolized the world’s essential elements; the good and evil. The good ones are symbolized by hope, changes, and other more that results into goodness, while the evilness or darkness are symbolized by ignorance and the lost of hope. In the story the elves are covered with a white light that brightens, it is a symbol of their being the good ones that they reflect something which is the contrary of evil. The evil ones appear to be ugly like decaying bodies and their place was a wrecked one full of darkness. Tolkien made the Lord of The Ring following and basing on the patterns of the World War I and II events. Depicting his comprehension on reality and placing it in the context of a fantasy that everyone could appreciate even without understanding its real meaning. Though there are a lot of differences and distinction between his created world and the world he wanted people to understand, they were said to be fitting each other in terms of evil and good. Tolkien depicted the characters in the story, the events and other aspect basing on the good and bad side of possession of great power. Also he showed in the story how friends and comrades try to console each other in times of crisis. Tolkien tend to show how certain people tend to share each other’s difficulties in times of troubles and that in a certain world full of hidden cruelty, everyone needs help in order to get through it and in order to make through it all. Now I understand that the main meaning of the trilogy of the lord of the ring in which the original author Tolkien tended his readers to understand is the cruelty which is caused by the over possession of power. That the book explains about the possible negative effect of power to a person which had appeared in the story in a patterned way. I could also say that I believe in Tolkien when he said that great power can corrupt a person’s heart.