Italian winegrowers' acceptance of result-based agri-environmental schemes

Abstract

As the debate around the cost-effectiveness of agri-environmental schemes (AES) is growing at the European level, researchers and policymakers are exploring the potential of result-based AES. Result-based AES initiate payments only if pre-defined environmental outcomes are achieved, thus increasing risks for farmers. Using a contingent valuation method, we investigated Italian winegrowers’ acceptance and intensity of participation in a result-based AES targeted at pollinators’ conservation in vineyards. We focused on the role of farmers’ behavioural factors and risk attitudes in driving the acceptance. Results show that, among the 222 farmers who completed the survey, 71 per cent of participants are willing to participate in such a scheme. Non-participation is associated with a high perceived bureaucratic burden. Risk also plays a significant role, as the perceived risk of the scheme decreases the likelihood of enrolment, while risk-seeking farmers are more likely to participate. We found no evidence of risk affecting the intensity of participation. In contrast, while a treatment of a randomly assigned rare-species bonus did not affect the scheme's overall acceptance, it positively influenced intensity. Behavioural factors appear to be related to both acceptance and intensity. Considering this, we suggest strategies to encourage farmer participation in result-based AES.