Abstract

We utilized data from cereal, legume, and vegetable growers in Kenya and Uganda to assess their knowledge and management practices of common pests and willingness to pay (WTP) for biopesticides. The contingent valuation method was used to assess the WTP and associated factors among 600 and 700 farmers in Kenya and Uganda, respectively. Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was reported as the major maize pest in both countries, while aphids (Aphis spp.) and Tuta absoluta were ranked as the main legume and vegetable pests, respectively. Most farmers (>65%) used chemical pesticides as the main method to control pests, with most of them (>70%) being aware of the negative effects of chemical pesticides on human health. A higher proportion of vegetable farmers (>80%) were WTP a premium price for biopesticides compared to 60% and 50% of the maize and legume farmers, respectively. On average the WTP price was estimated at US$23.33, US$18.27, and US$15.74 per acre among the vegetable, maize, and legume growers, respectively. Being a male, more educated, with higher income, aware of the negative effects of chemical pesticide use, and a risk-taker increased WTP for biopesticides. On the flip side, old age, big family size, and having trust to other community members decreased WTP for biopesticides. Our findings provide insights into the market opportunities of biopesticides in Kenya and Uganda. Training farmers on the benefits of biopesticides may promote their attitude towards the utilization of this kind of pesticides and consequently reduce the use of chemical pesticides.

摘要

我们利用肯尼亚和乌干达的谷物、豆类和蔬菜种植者的数据来评估他们对常见害虫的知识和管理实践以及对生物农药的支付意愿 (WTP)。条件估值法分别用于评估肯尼亚和乌干达 600 名和 700 名农民的 WTP 和相关因素。据报道，秋粘虫（Spodoptera frugiperda）是这两个国家的主要玉米害虫，而蚜虫（Aphis spp.）和Tuta absoluta分别被列为主要的豆类和蔬菜害虫。大多数农民（>65%）使用化学农药作为防治害虫的主要方法，其中大多数农民（>70%）意识到化学农药对人体健康的负面影响。较高比例的蔬菜种植者（>80%）认为生物农药的 WTP 价格高于玉米和豆类种植者的 60% 和 50%。蔬菜、玉米和豆类种植者的平均 WTP 价格估计分别为每英亩 23.33 美元、18.27 美元和 15.74 美元。作为男性，受过更多教育，收入更高，意识到使用化学农药的负面影响，以及冒险者增加了生物农药的 WTP。另一方面，年老、大家庭以及对其他社区成员的信任降低了生物农药的 WTP。我们的研究结果提供了对肯尼亚和乌干达生物农药市场机会的洞察。培训农民了解生物农药的好处可能会提高他们对使用这种农药的态度，从而减少化学农药的使用。