Willingness to Pay for Improving Land and Water Conditions for Agriculture in Damietta, Egypt

This paper analyzes the welfare effects of improved land and water quality conditions on agricultural production in Damietta, Egypt using a choice experiment. The survey was administered to a random sample of farmers in Damietta governorate, Egypt. In the analysis various econometric models are estimated in order to help identify farmers preferences toward interventions aimed at mitigating poor agricultural soil and irrigation water conditions which has traditionally reduced farmer incomes in rural Damietta. A significant willingness to pay (WTP) for improving agricultural productivity through improved irrigation and especially availability of certified seeds is found. However, relative WTP indicates that the maximum amount farmers are willing to pay for improvements is less to them than the cost of the program.  

ملخص