Abstract
Evaluation of conservation policies for agricultural genetic resources (AgGR) requires information on the use and non-use values of plant varieties and animal breeds, as well as on the preferences for in situ and ex situ conservation. We conducted a choice experiment to estimate citizens' willingness to pay (WTP) for AgGR conservation programmes in Finland, and used a latent class model to identify heterogeneity in preferences among respondent groups. The findings indicate that citizens have a high interest in the conservation of native breeds and varieties, but also reveal the presence of preference heterogeneity. Five respondent groups could be identified based on latent class modeling: one implying lexicographic preferences, two with reasoned choices, one indicating uncertain support and one with a preference for the current status of conservation. The results emphasize the importance of in situ conservation of native cattle breeds and plant varieties in developing conservation policies.
Highlights
The intensification of agriculture has led to marked changes in the utilization of agricultural genetic resources (AgGR), and many previously common cultivated plant varieties as well as native animal breeds that are of interest in terms of food and agricultural production have become rare or even endangered (Drucker et al, 2001; FAO, 2007, 2010)
We present the results of a choice experiment conducted to estimate the benefits of genetic resource conservation programmes in Finland
Animal breeds in gene banks and on farms were treated as separate attributes, but were later combined to the “Native breeds in gene banks” and the “Native breeds on farms” attributes in the choice tasks presented to the respondents
Summary
The intensification of agriculture has led to marked changes in the utilization of agricultural genetic resources (AgGR), and many previously common cultivated plant varieties as well as native animal breeds that are of interest in terms of food and agricultural production have become rare or even endangered (Drucker et al, 2001; FAO, 2007, 2010). The full benefits of conserving AgGR are not revealed by markets, as the resources are either not traded in the markets or the price of agricultural products does not completely capture their value (Oldfield, 1989; Brown, 1990; Drucker et al, 2001). Use values refer to the benefits obtained from current and future use of genetic resources in production and breeding, while non-use values are generated from the knowledge that genetic resources, e.g., certain breeds, exist and are saved for future generations Stated preference methods, such as the discrete choice experiment (CE) method, are capable of estimating both use and non-use values in monetary terms. We present the results of a choice experiment conducted to estimate the benefits of genetic resource conservation programmes in Finland. Results are presented in section Results, and section Discussion and Conclusions provides discussion and conclusions
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