Valuing Agricultural Landscape: Lithuanian Case Study Using a Contingent Valuation Method

Anastasija Novikova,Lucia Rocchi,Bernardas Vaznonis

doi:10.3390/su11092648

Anastasija Novikova, Lucia Rocchi + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092648

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: May 9, 2019
Citations: 11	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Vytautas Magnus University, University of Perugia

Abstract

This study analyses Lithuanian residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the agricultural landscape in Lithuania. Since it is a part of the European Union, the agriculture is supported by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). According to CAP, agri-environmental schemes focus on the maintenance and improvement of agricultural landscape. Under these measures, Lithuanian farmers receive payments for the creation of agricultural landscape services. Therefore, understanding the demand of such agricultural landscape services, as received by the society, may help policymakers better allocate the funds. The present study has revealed that Lithuanian residents are concerned about the maintenance and preservation of the agricultural landscape. Moreover, they demand provision of the agricultural landscape services. Application of the contingent valuation method has shown that the median WTP of 23.59 €/year per family for agricultural landscape services, which is influenced by socioeconomic characteristics. The findings of the present study provide quantitative information about the demand for agricultural landscape services, which could be used to improve the agri-environmental policy, substantiating the internalization of positive and negative externalities (e.g., agricultural landscape services) to the performance of farmers.

Highlights

Agriculture provides society with goods and services, such as food and fibre, as well as cultural, environmental, and other nonmarket goods and services, such as aesthetic value of the landscape, which supply public benefit [1]
We found that approximately half of the respondents were unwilling to pay for the agricultural landscape services stated that they did not earn a sufficient amount of money to support the improvements to the agricultural landscape, approximately one third was unsure if the money would be allocated appropriately, and the remaining share of the respondents were not really interested in the agricultural landscape issues
The study revealed that Lithuanian residents are concerned about maintenance of agricultural landscape services, which are in high demand

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture provides society with goods and services, such as food and fibre, as well as cultural, environmental, and other nonmarket goods and services, such as aesthetic value of the landscape, which supply public benefit [1]. Landscape as perceived by people means an area, the characteristics of which are the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors [2]. It plays an important role in cultural, environmental, and social areas, and is a favourable resource for the economy [3]. Landscapes, as amenities, are defined as location-specific features that enhance the attractiveness of a given location. They are important for human well-being, quality of life, and the economic competitiveness of rural areas [4]. In terms of tourism and recreation purposes, there is a particular interest in traditional agricultural landscapes because of their historical and cultural value, which generates an additional income [7]

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