Ecosystem-Based Food Production: Consumers′ Preferred Practices and Willingness to Buy and Pay

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.

Automated summary

Consumers show strong interest in buying food produced using ecosystem-based agricultural practices and are willing to pay a higher price for such products. Efficiency in resource utilization and the addition of product attributes have been found to be effective strategies in attracting consumers to ecosystem-based agricultural practices.