FARMERS’ PERCEPTION AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR PESTICIDES CONCERNING QUALITY AND EFFICACY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess farmers’ perception and willingness to pay for pesticides concerning quality &efficacy, and exploring the socio-demographic factors that influence the decision to pay for pesticides. A sample of 141 farmers in Hambanthota and Dambulla regions was selected and information were collected by using a structured questionnaire. An econometric model called “Binary Logistic Regression” was carried out using six explanatory variables after screening out of twelve variables in the Chi-Square analysis to identify factors highly likely to affect farmers’ perception and willingness to pay. The results revealed that four variables namely; age, average monthly income, pest intensity and action have a significant relationship with farmers’ perception and willingness to pay for pesticides concerning quality and efficacy. Average monthly income and action have a positive impact on perception and willingness to pay while age and pest intensity have a negative impact.