Willingness to Pay for Organic Fertilizer by Resource Poor Vegetable Farmers in the Humid Tropic
Nsikak-Abasi A. Etim *
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Uyo, P.M.B 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Dumka N. Benson
Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study was conducted in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria between July, 2014 and December, 2014 to assess resource poor vegetable farmers’ willingness to pay for a premium of organic fertilizer. With the aid of questionnaire, primary data were obtained from 60 vegetable farmers using multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were subjected to analysis using the univariate probit regression model. Results of analysis showed that whereas age of the farmer was significant (P<0.01) and positively related to willingness of farmers to pay for organic fertilizers; education, farm size, farm income were significant (P<0.01) and positively related to willingness of farmers to pay for organic fertilizer. Findings further revealed that marital status was positively significant (P<0.05). Increasing farm holdings and improvement in educational opportunities are policy decisions aimed at enhancing the willingness of resource poor vegetable farmers to pay for organic fertilizer as an alternative soil ameliorant.
Keywords: Univariate probit regression, chemical fertilizers, soil ameliorant, farm holdings, farm size