Author(s)

F. G. Gachango, L. M. Andersen, S. M. Pedersen

Abstract

Implementation of voluntary nutrient reduction technologies among Danish farms is relatively low despite the introduction of a number of incentives on such technologies. With data from 267 farmers, this study analyzed the level of uptake of these technologies and the farmers’ perception of water quality, existing regulatory measures and their implementation strategies. In general, farmers perceived; the water quality to be above average and indicated a strong non-support for penalties on non-compliance. Results of two ordered probit models on adoption and perception showed a significant importance of factors such as farm and soil types, farm size and slopes and information availability. These findings give a direction to policy makers and other stakeholders on the need to increase information dissemination on; water quality requirements both at national and regional levels and availability and procedures of financial, technical and institutional support for the existing and future incentives. Ultimately, tailor-made incentives could be designed based on farm structure and physical characteristics so as to improve the pace of adoption of the technologies thereby reducing water pollution from farms substantially.

Keywords

agricultural water pollution, Denmark, agri-environmental measures, recipient water bodies, ordered probit