Abstract
Ecosystem-based agricultural practices that utilize ecosystem processes aim to either reduce the negative externalities of agricultural production or increase the production of ecosystem services other than food provision. We examined consumer interest in buying and paying for food produced using ecosystem-based agricultural practices. According to the results, the most preferred practices were the more efficient use of livestock manure, the use of nitrogen-fixing crops, biological pest control, and the addition of soil carbon. Having these practices as an attribute of a food product increased the interest in buying the product for 43% of consumers. Their median willingness to pay (WTP) was 20% higher than for conventional products. Using socioeconomic and attitudinal variables, a hurdle model revealed the characteristics of a consumer segment interested in ecosystem-based agricultural practices.
Highlights
Practices and Willingness to Buy andTwo options to enhance agriculture that take into account the wide range of ecosystem services beyond just food are (1) the design of agri-environmental policies [1] (2) to leave the responsibility for the supply of these ecosystem services to the markets, where consumer choices reveal the demand for these services to producers [2]
The analysis revealed that willingness to pay (WTP) is below 20% for half of consumers but female gender and household size are positively related to the demand for organic goods
Consumers are interested in agricultural production practices that reduce negative externalities and increase the provision of ecosystem services
Summary
Two options to enhance agriculture that take into account the wide range of ecosystem services beyond just food are (1) the design of agri-environmental policies [1] (2) to leave the responsibility for the supply of these ecosystem services to the markets, where consumer choices reveal the demand for these services to producers [2]. These two options can complement each other; part of the environmental concern is passed to producers via policy and part of it is passed through the demand for credence goods, such as organic foods. Enhancing ecosystem functions with ecosystem-based agricultural practices could solve some of these externalities, increase the supply of ecosystem services, and benefit crop production, for example by allowing a reduction in the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides [7]
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