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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Willingness to Pay for Attributes of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches in the Agricultural Sector
HortTechnology (Alexandria, Va.), Vol.30(3), pp.437-447
06/01/2020
Abstract
To mitigate the environmental harm associated with the disposal of polyethylene (PE) (plastic) mulches after use-incineration, dumping at landfills, tilling into the soil, and onsite stockpiling-biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) are proposed as an environmentally friendly alternative. These mulches are designed to degrade in the field, thereby reducing negative impacts. We conducted discrete choice experiments to evaluate willingness to pay (WTP) for BDM attributes using data collected from a survey of stakeholders in the agricultural sector (e.g., farmers, crop advisors, educators, and others) in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Results obtained using a mixed logit model show that respondents assign the greatest value to BDM attributes that provide a price premium opportunity for the product grown, improve soil health, or reduce field-borne residue, thereby enhancing sustainability. We found heterogeneity in preferences for the attributes of plastic residue and soil health: the cost of BDMs is more important to nonfarmers and noncrop advisors, whereas soil health is more of a concern for crop advisors. In addition, respondents who are less risk averse and less sensitive to cost are more willing to adopt BDMs. Results from this study have implications regarding the best ways to introduce and support sustainable practices as a part of green technology in the agricultural sector, particularly for new BDM products.
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Details
- Title
- Willingness to Pay for Attributes of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches in the Agricultural Sector
- Creators
- Kuan-Ju Chen - University of GuamSuzette P. Galinato - Washington State UniversityThomas L. Marsh - University of GuamPeter R. Tozer - Massey UniversityHayley H. Chouinard - Colorado State University
- Publication Details
- HortTechnology (Alexandria, Va.), Vol.30(3), pp.437-447
- Academic Unit
- College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
- Publisher
- Amer Soc Horticultural Science
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- 2014-51181-22382 / project ``Performance and Adoptability of Biodegradable Plastic Mulch for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production" - U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture through its Specialty Crop Research Initiative
- Identifiers
- 99901180184701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article