Abstract
AbstractThe study uses interval regression to investigate factors affecting farmers’ willingness to pay for soil testing services in Northern Haiti. The model reveals that factors such as the type of crops grown, group membership, farmers’ educational level, access to credit, gender, contact with extension services or any institution, type of soils, income level, participation in soil testing program and farm size affect the amount to be paid for soil testing services. These results imply that the training module on soil testing and financial support in form of subsidies or access to credit should be provided to farmers.
Highlights
Soil fertility and health are determinants for increasing agricultural productivity
The results show that farmers are willing to pay an average of 503 Haitian gourdes (HTG), an equivalent of 7 USD per test for the soil testing services throughout the regions
By taking into account zero answers, skewness, outliers, and the heaping effect of the data, we used an interval regression model. This model revealed that various factors affect the amount to be paid for soil testing services
Summary
Soil fertility and health are determinants for increasing agricultural productivity. In most developing countries where soil degradation is prominent, maintaining good soil fertility is important to boost agricultural production. Soil testing was first introduced to ascertain the conditions of the soils and provide recommendations on how to improve its nutrient components and fertility (Jones and Kalra, 1992). Soil testing is a tool used to ensure that the additional use of fertilizer and lime improves crop performance and economic benefit without excessive waste or possible adverse environmental effects (Zhang et al, 1998). It is seen as an effective way to reduce nonpoint-source pollution from agriculture (Wu and Babcock, 1998). In the late 1940s, soil testing became an important factor in crop production decision making in the United States (Jones and Kalra, 1992)
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