Estimation of Ecological Compensation Standards for Fallow Heavy Metal-Polluted Farmland in China Based on Farmer Willingness to Accept

Xue Xie,Qing Wu,Hualin Xie,Hua Lu,Cheng Shu

doi:10.3390/su9101859

Abstract

In the context of China’s trial fallow policy; the heavy metal pollution of farmland is addressed via field surveys in Hunan Province, where the fallow policy has been implemented, and in Jiangxi Province, where it has not been implemented. We measured and analyzed willingness to accept (WTA) using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) Farmer awareness of heavy metal pollution and pollution sources is higher in Jiangxi Province than in Hunan Province; (2) Ignoring the impact of other factors, the WTA of farmers is 902 (yuan /mu) in Jiangxi Province and 902.26 (yuan /mu) in Hunan Province. Considering the influence of the basic characteristics of the respondents using the parameter estimation method, the WTA of farmers is 839.34 (yuan/mu) in Jiangxi Province and 934.39 (yuan/mu) in Hunan Province. There is little difference in WTA between the two provinces, but both estimates are higher than the national compensation standards; (3) The factors that affect the WTA of farmers in Jiangxi Province are gender, education level, average annual income and per capita arable land. The factors that affect the WTA of farmers in Hunan Province are age, education level, family size, average annual income, per capita arable land area and farmer occupation; (4) At present, the means and methods of compensation for the implementation of the fallow policy are recognized by most farmers. The paper concludes with some policy suggestions based on above findings.

Highlights

Over the past 50 years, approximately 22,000 t Cr, 9.39 × 105 t Cu, 7.83 × t Pb and 1.35 × t Zn were emitted into the global environment
This study aims to establish an “ecological compensation mechanism for fallow farmland in heavy metal-contaminated areas”, namely, a more specific and targeted approach to accurately reflect the environmental preferences of the farmers in fallow farmland in heavy metal-contaminated areas
The surveyed farmers have a wide range of regional characteristics, and we further examined the regional differences in their willingness to accept

Summary

Introduction

Over the past 50 years, approximately 22,000 t Cr, 9.39 × 105 t Cu, 7.83 × t Pb and 1.35 × t Zn were emitted into the global environment. Most of this heavy metal pollution entered the soil, causing heavy soil pollution [1]. Heavy metal pollution in arable land can affect the quality and safety of agricultural products and cause serious harm to human health [5]. The primary scope of the project is the Chang-Zhu-Tan area in Hunan Province, which is severely polluted with heavy metals. The annual subsidy was 1300 yuan per mu per year, with farmers compensated at a rate of 700 yuan per mu, and third parties at a rate of 600 yuan per mu

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion