Farmers' Perception of Unsprayed Crop Edges in the Netherlands

Abstract

This paper argues that not only should environmental and ecological benefits and economic costs be considered in developing nature conservation policies at the farm level but that farmers' perceptions should also be taken into account. Statistical analysis of survey data demonstrates the relevance of these behavioural aspects. Arable farmers with experience of unsprayed crop edges indicated that they preferred unsprayed edges in cereals or grass strips for agronomical, farming equipment related and socio-psychological reasons. The study also focused on the “ideal” unsprayed crop edge from the farmers' perspective. It appeared that a flexible width is most important for acceptance in farming practice, because it is, above all, the width that determines compatibility with existing farming organisation and parcel lay-out. In this respect, there was significant differences between regions. With regard to the payment system, farmers prefer a guaranteed reward instead of a “payment for nature” result, irrespective of the region considered.