Farmers' reasons to accept bio-based fertilizers: A choice experiment in seven different European countries. (1st October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tur-Cardona, Juan; Bonnichsen, Ole; Speelman, Stijn; Verspecht, Ann; Carpentier, Louise; Debruyne, Lies; Marchand, Fleur; Jacobsen, Brian H.; Buysse, Jeroen
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 197(2018)Part 1
• Page Start: 406
• Page End: 416
• Publication Date: 2018-10-01
• Subjects: Choice experiment -- Bio-based fertilizer -- Nutrient recycling -- Processing; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.172
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: European agriculture is a large importer of nutrients in the form of chemical fertilizers. Additionally, countries with livestock-intensive farming face problems with disposal of nutrients in animal manure. The availability of chemical fertilizers has changed farmers' past dependence on manure. Nowadays, despite its nutrient content, manure is sometimes considered as a waste product. However, if the characteristics of manure and other waste streams could be enhanced through processing, it could be transformed into an alternative bio-based fertilizer recycling the nutrients within the farming sector. This would also create opportunities for nutrient exchange between different European regions. However, a key question is what is needed for farmers to accept these products as replacements for their current chemical fertilizer use? In this paper, key attributes determining the acceptance of alternative bio-based fertilizer products are identified. Based on the identified attributes, a discrete choice experiment was designed to reveal farmers' preferences and Willingness-To-Pay for these attributes. Identical experiments were conducted in seven different European countries. The results indicate that farmers from the different countries have common preferences for concentrated products that have certainty in the nitrogen content and at a lower price than chemical fertilizer. Other attributes such as the presence of organic carbon, hygienization of the product and fast release of nutrients were only statistically significant in some countries. The results imply that a bio-based fertilizer similar to chemical fertilizers could be sold at around 65% of the price of mineral fertilizer. Additionally, we show which attributes industry should take into consideration when estimating the demand for new bio-based fertilizer products. Highlights: Preferences for attributes of bio-based fertilisers are elicited in seven European countries. Farmers prefer a product that is quite similar to their current chemical fertilizer. Deviations from a preferred product would need to be compensated by lower prices. 10% of respondents always indicated their preference for their current fertilizer.