Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Cabbage with Minimized Pesticide Residues in Southern Benin

Abstract

Cabbage (Brassicaceae) is one of the most frequently consumed exotic vegetables in Benin and also the most affected by insects. To meet growing food demand, farmers rely heavily on synthetic pesticides that are harmful for themselves, consumers and the environment. Integrated pest management has been proposed as the means to improve vegetable productivity and quality in many developing countries. One approach is to substitute pesticides with physical barriers to insects, like nets. Here, we assess consumers' OPEN ACCESSEnvironments 2015, 2 450 perceptions about cabbage and their purchasing behavior towards cabbage that was produced using these nets in two major cities in Benin. Results indicate that consumers are aware of the health risks associated with intensive use of pesticides but were not able to recognize the quality difference between cabbage produced under nets from those using pesticides. All consumers were willing to pay a price premium for cabbage with minimized pesticides residues compared with conventionally produced cabbage, the average premium being 38%. Women, older, highly educated consumers and those able to distinguish cabbage qualities were willing to pay the most. We suggest that farmers will obtain higher prices if their production of cabbage with preferred characteristics is accompanied by an improved marketing strategy.

Mitigation of climatic conditions and pest protection provided by insect-proof nets for cabbage cultivation in East Africa

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Le maraîchage périurbain à Libreville et Owendo (Gabon) : pratiques culturales et durabilité

“…Le non-respect des doses et des délais avant récolte constitue un grand facteur de risque pour les consommateurs. La sécurité des exploitants pendant ou après les traitements phytosanitaires n'est pas non plus assurée, du Vidogbéna et al, 2015). La lutte biologique, avec l'emploi de certains champignons entomopathogènes comme Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.…”

Achieving an Integrated Approach to Food Safety and Hygiene—Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Studies have shown that consumer knowledge of food safety across Africa is lower than Asia and may be associated with lower income [58]. However, targeted studies in Benin, Tanzania, and Kenya have shown that consumers have an awareness of potential health risks from agri-based foods in local markets and, in some cases, have demonstrated a willingness to pay more for safer products [59][60][61][62][63]. These studies demonstrate that with the correct consumer advice and awareness there can be a consumer based drive to improved food safety standards from both informal and formal markets.…”