Determinants of resources spent and willingness to pay on prevention and control of soil erosion in Central Chile

Abstract

This estudy examines the determinants of current resources spent and willineness to pay for the prevention and control of soil erosion in Secano Costero of Central Chile. The research is based on the analisys of data collected from 140 ramdomly selected farmers. Current resources spent on soil conservation are calculated by axamining expeditures on eight soil conservation measures valued in monetary terms. Contingent valuation method in conbination with protecction motivation theory are applied for the purpose of eliciting farmers wilingness to pay for soil conservation measures. The results reveal that farmers are willing to pay for soil conservation measures according to the escenario proposed. Results from stepwise regresión show that resources apent on soil conservation are strongly influenced by: farmers perception about response efficacy of soil conservation measures; lack of draft animal perceived as barrier to carry out soil conservation measures; and farm size as a positive influence of curret spent on soil conservation