Heterogeneous Consumer Preferences for Turfgrass Attributes in the United States and Canada

This study investigates U.S. and Canadian consumer preferences and willingness to pay for turfgrass attributes and potential consumer market segments. Most studies focus on consumers’ preferences for low‐input turfgrasses at a state or regional level, but none have examined consumer preferences at a national or international level. In addition, we explore possible consumer preference heterogeneity and market segments. We find that one of the most influential turfgrass attributes for both U.S. and Canadian consumers is the ability to withstand foot traffic. Consumers’ preferences are greatly affected by maintenance attributes. Low mowing frequency, followed by water usage and fertilizer requirements, are considered the most important attributes for consumers. Generally speaking, many consumers are willing to pay high premiums for turfgrasses with lower maintenance requirements. Three consumer segments are identified based on participants’ heterogeneity in their preferences for turfgrass attributes: Balanced Consumers, Low‐input Conscious Consumers, and Appearance Conscious Consumers. Our results imply that breeding and promotion of low‐input turfgrasses species, which could benefit consumers and the environment, should receive greater attention from the turfgrass seed industry. Cette étude se penche sur les préférences des consommateurs américains et canadiens et leur volonté de payer pour des attributs du gazon, et les potentiels segments de marché grand public. La majorité des études se penche sur les préférences des consommateurs pour des gazons à faibles intrants au niveau de l′état ou régional. Aucune n'a encore examiné les préférences du consommateur au niveau national ou international. De plus, nous explorons l'hétérogénéité des préférences des consommateurs ainsi que les segments de marché. L'on constate que l'attribut du gazon ayant la plus grande influence sur les consommateurs américains et canadiens était la capacité de résister à la circulation piétonnière. Les préférences des consommateurs sont énormément influencées par les attributs d'entretien. La faible fréquence de tonte et les besoins en eau et en engrais représentent pour les consommateurs les plus importants attributs. En général, de nombreux consommateurs sont prêts à débourser plus pour des gazons qui nécessitent peu d'entretien. Trois groupes de consommateurs sont identifiés en fonction de l'hétérogénéité de leurs préférences pour les attributs du gazon: les consommateurs équilibrés, les consommateurs préoccupés par les faibles intrants et les consommateurs préoccupés par l'apparence. Les résultats suggèrent que la production et la promotion d'espèces de gazons à faibles intrants, bénéfiques pour le consommateur et l'environnement, devraient se trouver dans la mire de l'industrie semencière.     

Evaluating Consumer Preferences for Organic Food Production Standards

In 21st century agriculture, standards are increasingly used to define new food products, such as organic food and fair trade. In some cases these standards are privately determined but in other cases they have been established by governments. Indeed, the Government of Canada recently announced its organic food regulations. A key dimension of the policy process involves choosing which standards are to be used to govern the production of organic food. Unfortunately, decision makers faced with these choices know very little about how the public values the various standards that could be used to define organic. This study evaluates Canadian consumers' preferences for different organic standards. Standards pertaining to pesticide‐residue testing, product origin specifications, the standard setting agency, and standard monitoring agency are evaluated using a conjoint method. Key results suggest that consumers place a high value on a pesticide standard that involves regular testing of the end product and that they prefer an organic food standard to include a rule that limits where the good is produced. En agriculture en ce 21^e siècle, des normes sont de plus en plus utilisées pour définir de nouveaux produits alimentaires tels que les aliments biologiques et les aliments issus du commerce équitable. Dans certains cas, ces normes sont établies par des organismes privés, et dans d'autres cas, elles sont établies par les gouvernements. Dernièrement, le gouvernement du Canada a annoncé son Règlement sur les produits biologiques. Un élément clé du processus d'élaboration des politiques consiste à choisir les normes qui s'appliqueront à la production d'aliments biologiques. Malheureusement, les décideurs à qui reviennent ces choix en savent très peu sur les valeurs que le public accorde aux diverses normes qui pourraient être utilisées pour définir le terme «biologique». La présente étude évalue les préférences des consommateurs canadiens concernant les diverses normes sur les produits biologiques. Les normes sur l'analyse des résidus de pesticides, les spécifications sur l'origine du produit, les organismes de normalisation et les organismes de surveillance sont évaluées à l'aide d'une méthode conjointe. Les résultats fondamentaux montrent que les consommateurs accordent une grande importance à une norme sur les pesticides qui exige des analyses régulières du produit final et qu'ils préfèrent une norme sur les aliments biologiques qui inclut un règlement sur l'origine du produit.     

Farmers' Preferences for Crop Insurance Attributes

Utilizing survey data from corn and soybean farmers in the Midwest, this study assesses the relative importance of different features of crop insurance products. Conjoint analysis results indicate that farmers' preferences for flexibility dominate both type of insurance and coverage level. Revenue insurance demand is greater by those who are larger, younger, and farm in more separate locations. Results are significant and consistent by size, insurance usage, leverage, and risk perception. The results permit prediction of market shares of competing insurance products within specific producer segments, and thus also provide guidance for targeting specific producer groups with new product configurations.     

Consumer Choice and Health: The Importance of Health Attributes for Retail Meat Demand in Canada

Fat content is an attribute of major concern to health conscious consumers and of growing importance in the discussion of nutrition-related diseases in Canada. This paper combines multinomial logit and Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) analysis to investigate Canadian consumers’ preferences and retail demand for ground meat products differentiated by fat content. We apply Nielsen household and retail-level scanner data. Evidence from multinomial logit supports the hypothesis of strong habits in household's point-of-sale product choices, driven by sociodemographic characteristics and regional cultural customs. Estimates of own and cross price elasticities from the AIDS model reveal that preferences for health triumph over taste. We find that perceived healthier “extra lean” ground meats have evolved into a staple in the Canadian diet. Our results are a starting point for a more in-depth understanding of consumer behavior toward healthy food choices. This information is essential for more targeted health and nutrition policy aimed at the promotion of healthful meat choices in Canadian grocery retailing. La teneur en matière grasse est un attribut qui préoccupe les consommateurs soucieux de leur santé et un sujet qui est de plus en plus présent dans le débat sur les maladies liées à la nutrition au Canada. Le présent article combine une analyse logit multinomiale et l’analyse d’un système de demande AIDS pour étudier les préférences des consommateurs canadiens et la demande du marché de détail en produits de viande hachée différenciés par la teneur en matière grasse. Nous avons utilisé les données de Nielsen portant sur les habitudes de consommation des ménages et scannées dans les commerces de détail. Les résultats de l’analyse logit multinomiale appuient l’hypothèse selon laquelle les habitudes des ménages quant au choix de produits dans les points de vente sont bien ancrées et sont motivées par des caractéristiques sociodémographiques et des pratiques culturelles régionales. Les estimations des élasticités-prix et des élasticités-prix croisées effectuées à partir du modèle AIDS ont révélé que l’aspect « santé» des aliments l’emportait sur l’aspect « goût ». Nous avons observé que les viandes hachées très maigres perçues comme étant meilleures pour la santé sont devenues une denrée de consommation courante du régime alimentaire de la population canadienne. Nos résultats constituent un point de départ pour une étude plus approfondie sur le comportement des consommateurs concernant des choix alimentaires sains. Cette information est essentielle à l’élaboration d’une politique sur la nutrition et la santé plus ciblée visant à promouvoir des choix de viande sains dans le commerce de détail canadien.     

Attitudes and Preferences of Kosovar Consumer Segments Toward Quality Attributes of Milk and Dairy Products

ABSTRACT

The dairy market is one of the fastest growing agri-food sectors in Kosovo, yet the farm structure is fragmented. The level of productivity is lower compared with European Union levels and shows potential for improvements. The consumption of dairy products is expected to rise due to income growth and segmentation of consumers that would reflect different preferences for low-fat or zero-fat products, products with natural additives, and so on. On the market level, a significant share of the consumed milk and dairy products is imported. This study aims to better understand attitudes and preferences of Kosovar consumer segments toward milk and dairy products. A quantitative survey with 300 consumers was conducted in major Kosovo cities. Applying a reduced version of the Food Related Lifestyle instrument identified three distinct consumer segments: the conservative consumer segment, the socially oriented foodie, and the information-seeking eco-consumer. The latter two segments are especially open to trying new food products and actively search information about food. All three consumer segments show strong consumer patriotism by believing that domestic milk and cheese are safer than imported products and are of higher quality. This indicates the strong market potential for dairy farmers and companies in the Kosovo, which should develop new food products having these segments in mind. The authors explore the strategies that farmers and companies should use to better target these consumer groups and gain greater access to desirable segments.     

Hog Producer Preferences for Marketing Contract Attributes

We use a stated preference instrument to elicit producer preferences for the attributes of risk-shifting hog marketing contracts and express acceptable producer trade-offs between contract attributes in a convenient dollar metric. Respondents value an increase in a window contract's price ceiling three to five times more than the same increase in the price floor, which suggests that hog producers dislike contracts that limit up-side price potential (limit positive skewness). The contractor's organizational form is also important. Cooperative forms are preferred by many respondents, particularly those who state that trust in the contractor is an important antecedent for any contractual relationship.     

Transatlantic Differences in Consumer Preferences

Transatlantic Differences in Consumer Preferences The EU prohibits imports of hormone-treated beef and is about to impose labelling and traceability requirements on GMOs. Both policies have created growing unease on the part of exporting countries. The EU claims that public health concerns and consumers' preferences justify the trade restrictions, while exporters maintain that the rules serve primarily to protect domestic agriculture by limiting international competition. In a consumer study in France, Germany, the UK, and the US, we determine if consumers' preferences, as reflected in willingness-to-pay estimates, are different across the Atlantic. Our study covered two products: beef from cattle treated by hormones and from cattle fed genetically modified corn. Our results suggest that French consumers are willing to pay more than US consumers for beef from cattle not administered hormones. There are, however, no significant differences among German, UK and US consumers. In contrast, consumers in France, Germany and the UK are willing to pay more for beef from animals not fed GM corn than are US consumers. Given these results and current policy developments, it seems unlikely that the EU will retract its labelling requirements on GM food and feed, and future trade disputes are likely to emerge. Des consommateurs différents d'une rive de l'Atlantique à l'autre l'Union Européenne interdit l'importation de viande aux hormones, et s'apprête à imposer des normes d'étiquetage et de traçabilité pour les OGM. Dans chaque cas, les pays exportateurs ont été choqués par ces politiques. l'UE soutient que la santé publique et les préférences des consommateurs justifient de telles entorses au libéralisme, cependant que les pays exportateurs restent dans l' idée qu'il ne s'agit là que de moyens de protéger ragriculture rationale de la concurrence internationale. Nous avons essayé de vérifier si les préférences rationales, telles qu'elles sont définies par le consentement à payer, sont réellement différentes d'une rive à l'autre de l'Atlantique, à partir de l'étude d'un échantillon de consommateurs recrutés en France, Grande Bretagne, Allemagne et Etats Unis. Notre étude concerne deux produits:le bœuf traité aux hormones, et le bœuf nourri au maïs génétiquement modifyé. Les résultats montrent que les Français sont mieux disposés que les Américains à payer plus cher du bceuf non traité aux hormones. En dehors de cela, il n'y a pas de grosses différences entre les consommateurs anglais, allemands, et américains pour ce produit. Par contre, pour ce qui concerne le bœuf nourri au maïs OGM, il apparaît que les Britanniques, les Français et les Allemands sont bien plus disposés que les Américains à payer un surprixpour l'éviter. Dans ces conditions, et au vu des derniers développements politiques, on ne voit pas comment éviter que l'UE ne maintienne ses exigences en matière d'OGM pour l'alimentation humaine ou celledu bétail, ce qui entraînera sans doute une nouvelle guerre commerciale. Transatlantische Unterschiede bei verbraucherpräferenzen Die EU verbietet den Import von ormonbehandeltem Rindfleisch und wird in Kürze Rückverfolgbarkeit und Kennzeichnungspflicht bei GVOs verlangen. Diese beiden Maßnahmen werden von den Exportländem mißbiliigt. Die EU beruft sich darauf, dass diese Handelsrestriktionen durch die Sorge um die öffentliche Gesundheit und durch die Verbraucherpräferenzen gerechtfertigt seien. Die Exporteure führen an, dass diese Verordnungen primär dem Schutze der einheimischen Landwirtschaft dienten, da sie den internationalen Wettbewerb einschränken. In einer Verbraucherstudie in Frankreich, Deutschland, Großbritannien und den USA wird anhand von Schätzungen der Zahiungsbereitschaft ermittelt, ob es bei den Verbraucherpräferenzen tatsächlich transatlantische Unterschiede gibt. Die Studie umfasste zwei Erzeugnisse: Rindfleisch von hormonbehandelten Tieren und von Tieren, die mit genetisch verändertem Mais gefüttert worden waren. Die Resultate legen es nahe, dass französische Verbraucher mehr als US amerikanische Verbraucher bereit sind, einen höheren Preis für Rindfleisch von Tieren zu zahlen, welchen keine Hormone verabreicht wurden. Es sind jedoch keine signiflkanten Unterschiede zwischen deutschen, britischen und US-amerikanischen Verbrauchern vorhanden. Andererseits sind Franzosen, Deutsche und Briten mehr als US-amerikanische Verbraucher bereit, einen höheren Preis für Rindfleisch von Tieren zu zahlen, welche nicht mit genetisch verändertem Mais gefüttert wurden. In Anbetracht dieser Ergebnisse und der aktuellen politischen Entwicklungen erscheint es unwahrscheinlich, dass die EU die Verordnung zur Kennzeichnung von genetisch veränderten Lebensmitteln und Futtermitteln zurücknehmen wird. Zukünftige Handelskontroversen sind zu erwarten.     

Consumer Preferences for Fresh Tomatoes in Benin using a Conjoint Analysis

Constraints related to the technical and socioeconomic aspects of adopting tomato varieties are well documented. However, preferences relating to the demand for this fruit are rarely studied. In fact, demand for the different varieties of tomatoes might be related to consumers’ preferences for the extrinsic (color, size) and intrinsic (taste, nutritive value, water content) characteristics specific to each variety. It is therefore indispensable to determine the characteristics of tomatoes preferred by consumers. We examine consumers’ preferences for tomato attributes among a sample of 600 consumers in four representative markets in the main cities in southern Benin. The study also identifies potential segments of consumers and the market shares of each profile for each segment. The study identifies four potential tomato market segments, two of which have a strong preference for local tomatoes, namely, those that can be conserved for long periods and those with a firm consistency.     

Effects of Label Information on Consumer Willingness-to-Pay for Food Attributes

Choice experiments (CEs) are often used to elicit consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for food attributes. A concern about these approaches is that food attributes provided to respondents are assumed independent of attributes not provided. We use surveys containing a series of CEs to investigate effects of adding beef steak attributes. WTP for important attributes in the CEs decrease when the number of attributes increases from three to four, while WTP increases when the number of attributes increases from four to five. Changes in WTP for attributes depend on their relationships with newly added attributes and the number of attributes presented.     

Latent Class Analysis of Consumer Preferences for Wine in Tirana,Albania

This research aimed to determine wine attributes preferred by consumers in Tirana, Albania, and consumer segments based on preferences and sociodemographic factors. To accomplish these objectives, a conjoint choice experiment was designed. Data were analyzed with the latent class approach. Initial results showed a 5-class model fit best. Results indicated that younger people tend to prefer Italian wines over domestic wines, whereas some older consumers strongly prefer domestic, lower priced wines. Other domestic wine consumers sought higher prices, possibly indicating a niche demand for high-quality Albanian wines. The wine industry and its marketers might use this information to strategically market their wine to different groups. Overall, the majority of the respondents preferred Italian wines, but many might be persuaded toward domestic wine. Government assistance in standardizing the quality of wine and introducing new grape cultivars and efficient farming practices should aid long-term competitiveness of domestic wine in Albania.     

Heterogeneous Consumer Preferences for Nanotechnology and Genetic‐modification Technology in Food Products

This study investigates heterogeneous consumer preferences for nanofood and genetically‐modified (GM) food and the associated benefits using the results of choice experiments with 1,117 US consumers. We employ a latent class logit model to capture the heterogeneity in consumer preferences by identifying consumer segments. Our results show that nano‐food evokes fewer negative reactions compared with GM food. We identify four consumer groups: ‘Price Oriented/Technology Adopters’, ‘Technology Averse’, ‘Benefit Oriented’, and ‘New Technology Rejecters’. Each consumer group has a distinctive demographic background, which generates deeper insights into the diversified public acceptance of nano‐food and GM food. Our results have policy implications for the adoption of new food technologies.     

Consumer Valuation of Food Quality and Food Safety Attributes in Vietnam

Food systems in developing countries are currently undergoing a profound transformation toward high-value products. Appropriate policies are needed to guide this transformation, presupposing good understanding of consumer preferences. We analyze consumers' valuation of different vegetable attributes in metropolitan areas of Vietnam, using contingent valuation techniques and a mediation framework for two specific examples. Consumers are willing to pay an average price premium of 60% for Chinese mustard that is free of chemical residues and of 19% for different convenience attributes of potatoes. Income levels and media have positive impacts on the willingness to pay, partly mediated through consumer perceptions.     

Assessing Consumer and Producer Preferences for Animal Welfare Using a Common Elicitation Format

We assess pig farmers’ willingness‐to‐accept (WTA) higher farm animal welfare (FAW) standards and consumers’ willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for thus enhanced standards. The analysis is based on discrete choice experiments with nearly identical choice sets for both farmers (N=140) and consumers (N=554). Based on preference estimates from a random parameter logit (RPL) model, supply and demand curves for high‐welfare pork in Germany are estimated and market equilibria are derived for alternative levels of FAW. We find that estimates of consumer WTP are significantly positive for all FAW attributes: consumers value more surface space per pig, more bedding and manipulable material, less surgical interventions and shorter transportation times. In contrast, our model revealed significant producer WTA estimates only for surface area per pig and the amount of bedding material on offer, but not for the other FAW attributes. Farmers who expect to continue farming and engage in direct marketing are more likely to adopt higher FAW standards. Male consumers and those who find price more important than brand, origin or taste are less likely to buy high‐welfare pork, as are consumers who never purchase organic meat products. Market simulations for high‐welfare pork indicate increasing divergence between demand and supply with rising FAW standards. We estimate a market share of 44.6% for pork produced in compliance with an entry‐level FAW programme with standards only slightly above the legal minimum. Programmes with more demanding standards are estimated to gain much smaller market shares.     

Sustainable Urban Landscaping: Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Turfgrass Fertilizers

Residential lawns provide diverse benefits, including social (e.g., enhancing humans’ physical and psychological well‐being), economic (e.g., increasing real estate values), and environmental (e.g., supporting local ecosystems) benefits. However, improper lawn fertilizer applications can cause adverse environmental consequences, such as excessive chemical runoff into adjoining watersheds leading to water contamination. Currently, the importance of eco‐friendly fertilizers to homeowners has not been assessed. This study uses a discrete choice experiment to test whether eco‐friendly fertilizer attributes influence homeowners’ preferences for sustainable landscape management. The findings show that eco‐friendly fertilizer attributes positively influence homeowners’ preferences and willingness to pay, supporting the premise that the promotion of eco‐friendly fertilizer features could improve local ecosystems through increased adaptation. Furthermore, this study tests whether certain fertilizer attributes influence homeowners’ preferences in states with and without fertilizer restrictions. Since the regulatory environment affects homeowners’ preferences for sustainable landscaping, this study compares the results between regulated and unregulated states. The findings reveal that homeowners are more likely to use and are willing to pay higher premiums for sustainable fertilizers in states with residential fertilization regulations. This suggests that with strict fertilizer ordinances, homeowners are more geared toward eco‐friendly landscaping options and that related educational programs should be made available. Les pelouses résidentielles offrent divers avantages, incluant les avantages sociaux (comme la valorisation du bien‐être physique et psychologique humain), économiques (comme la valeur immobilière), et environnementaux (comme l'appui des écosystèmes locaux). La mauvaise application des fertilisants a parfois des conséquences environnementales négatives comme le ruissellement chimique excessif dans les bassins hydrographiques attenants menant à la contamination des sources d'eau. En raison de l'importance des fertilisants respectueux de l'environnement pour la protection de ce dernier, cette étude emploie une expérience avec choix discrets pour évaluer si les attributs écologiques des fertilisants influencent les préférences des consommateurs et leur volonté de payer pour une gestion durable de l'aménagement. Les résultats indiquent que les attributs écologiques des fertilisants influencent positivement les préférences des consommateurs et leur volonté de payer, appuyant ainsi la prémisse selon laquelle la promotion des attributs écologiques des fertilisants de gazon pourrait améliorer les écosystèmes locaux. De plus, cette étude évalue l'influence des attributs de certains fertilisants sur les préférences des propriétaires résidentiels dans les états avec et sans restrictions sur l'application des fertilisants. Puisque le cadre règlementaire peut avoir un impact sur les préférences des consommateurs pour une gestion durable de l'aménagement paysager, cette étude compare les prévisions des états avec et sans cadre règlementaire. Les résultats démontrent que les consommateurs sont plus aptes à utiliser, et sont disposés à payer un surplus pour les fertilisants durables dans les états où des règlements concernant l'utilisation de fertilisants résidentiels sont en vigueur, portant donc à croire que les programmes éducatifs concernant l'aménagement paysager respectueux de l'environnement devraient être accompagnés d'ordonnances strictes en matière de fertilisants.     

Consumer Motives and Purchase Preferences for Organic Food Products: Empirical Evidence From a Consumer Survey in Bangalore,South India

ABSTRACT

Consumer organic food choice motives and purchase preferences were studied in a structured quantitative survey (N = 201) in Bangalore, with the aim of identifying consumer segments based on these motives and preferences. Further, sociodemographic differences between the clusters were studied. Face-to-face interviews were used to sample the data, which were analyzed with factor and k-means cluster analysis (SPSS 16.0). Five latent factors were identified based on the motives, representing a set of consumer concerns labeled here as “food phobia” (health),” “environment,” “humanity,” “healthy eaters,” and “control.” Further, three clusters emerged from these motives representing 38%, 37%, and 25% of the sample size. The factors differ in terms of variance. Here, the records of perceived healthiness (food phobia) were the most important element, explaining 18.37% of the total variance. These clusters were differing in terms of the level and order of motivations. The health factor was a most important motive in two clusters, followed by environment. Further, humanity was the most important motive for the third cluster. This may reflect a heterogeneous nature of consumers in study area. Additionally, five clusters were identified based on the preferences, and profiles of these clusters differed in terms of sociodemographic factors and consumption pattern. Segments were identified based on motivating factors and preferences, and linking them with food choice motives and products preference provides the input needed by marketing professionals and policy makers to calibrate more efficient marketing strategies to better focus and position their products and design their communication strategies for target segments.     

Consumer Preferences for Organic Food and for the Shares of Meat and Vegetables in an Everyday Meal

Abstract

It is well established that consumers with positive preferences for organic products generally also tend to have healthy eating habits involving many fruits and vegetables but less meat. While most studies are based on single product comparisons, this study investigates consumer preferences for organic ingredients and content of meat and vegetables in the context of an everyday evening meal. Moreover, we address heterogeneity in preferences. The study is based on an online survey including a choice experiment with 506 consumers. Using principal component and latent class analyses, we identify three segments of consumers that differ with respect to preferences for organic production and content of meat and vegetables in their meals. Our findings may be valuable for authorities promoting healthy food consumption just as they provide valuable input to the catering industry and other suppliers of dinner dishes in the development and marketing of both organic and non-organic ready meals.     

German and British Consumer Willingness to Pay for Beef Labeled with Food Safety Attributes

The European Union has implemented some of the most stringent food safety policies for beef globally, ranging from banning growth hormones to mandating country of origin labeling. Using choice experiments and random parameter logit models, we examine German and British consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for American, Canadian, Argentinian, French, German and British beef, quality assurance seals, hormone‐free beef production and a gourmet label. We also determine how consumer WTP for these food safety and quality attributes is affected by the extent to which consumers consider food safety issues (FSI). Results indicate that British consumers had the lowest WTP for beef from Argentina and German consumers had the lowest WTP for beef from Great Britain. The hormone‐free label was the relatively most preferred label by consumers in both countries, and by those who considered FSI to affect their meat consumption patterns.     

基于农户偏好的牲畜粪便污染治理政策选择——以生猪养殖为例

本文基于全国5省754户生猪养殖农户的调查数据,运用选择实验方法,借助多元Logit模型和随机参数Logit模型分析了农户对牲畜粪便处理技术支持、牲畜粪便排污费、牲畜粪便排污技术标准、沼气补贴和粪肥交易市场5种牲畜粪便污染治理政策的偏好。结果表明:沼气补贴、牲畜粪便处理技术支持、牲畜粪便排污费和粪肥交易市场4种牲畜粪便污染治理政策对农户提高环境友好型牲畜粪便处理率影响显著,牲畜粪便排污技术标准政策对农户提高环境友好型牲畜粪便处理率影响不显著。农户对不同的牲畜粪便污染治理政策的偏好程度具有较大差异,对沼气补贴政策的偏好程度最高,其次是牲畜粪便处理全面技术支持政策和牲畜粪便排污费政策,之后是牲畜粪便处理一般技术支持政策,最后是粪肥交易市场政策。分区域的稳健性检验结果表明,不同区域的农户对不同牲畜粪便污染治理政策的偏好程度具有显著差异。     

Consumer Demand for Pesticide Free Food Products in Canada: A Probit Analysis

Pesticide Free Production™ (PFP™) is a new crop production strategy that has emerged in the Canadian prairies. Emphasis is placed on substituting human capital for chemical inputs in field crop production. Consumer response to the introduction of food products containing PFP™ inputs is unknown. A consumer survey was developed and implemented to assess what food products consumers would purchase if available in a PFP™ form and what factors affect demand for PFP™ food products. Results from a probit model suggest strong consumer interest in food products containing grains and oilseeds produced in a PFP™ cropping system. Respondents concerned with pesticides in the environment and/or food products, who would switch grocery stores to purchase a PFP™ food product, who were less than 36 years of age, had higher average household income and who would pay a premium for a PFP™ food product were more likely to choose food products with PFP™ ingredients.