Economic Valuation of Agrobiodiversity : Farmers' Contribution for on Farm Conservation of Rice Landraces in Nepal

摘要

This paper documents total economic value (TEV) of crop genetic resources (CGRs) in monetary terms by eliciting farmers' willingness to conserve the genetic resources on farm. The study employs contingent valuation method (CVM) to assess the farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) in the form of foregone benefit. I did questionnaire survey in 107 households in Kaski, Nepal. I found that 93 percent of the surveyed farmers willing to contribute for on-farm conservation of agrobiodiversity. The mean WTP was $4.18 per annum per household meaning that farmers were ready to forgo $4.18 benefit by growing landraces. Several socio-economic factors such as landholding size, household size, education level, resource endowment status, sex of respondent, number of crop landraces grown, and knowledge on diversity influenced farmers' WTP. The study indicates that farmers value crop genetic resources (such as rice landraces) for use, non-use, and existence options and there is considerable support for such genetic resources conservation. Such economic valuation of agrobiodiversity can draw attention of the policy makers to formulate appropriate policy mechanism, raise public and political awareness of the importance of agrobiodiversity, and also support to set conservation priorities.