Willingness to Pay for Conservation of African Baobab Tree in Ethiopia (A Case Study of Abergele Woreda): Contingent Valuation Approach

ABSTRACT

Conservation and restoration measures which consider the participation of the local community are necessary to save the baobab trees from being vanished. This study was conducted to assess communities’ average willingness to pay and identify factors that determines households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation and restoration of baobab tree. The study used primary data obtained from a survey conducted on 192 randomly selected households. Double bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) elicitation format of contingent valuation method was employed. The data were analyzed using a bivariate probit model. The response of households’ for the scenario indicated that the mean WTP for the conservation and restoration of baobab tree was found to be 105 birr per year per household. The results of the model revealed that household’s age, annual income of household head, marital status of household head, distance and awareness of household have positive and significant effect on WTP. On the other hand, bid values of have a significant negative effect on WTP indicating that Households that are provided with lower initial bid value are more likely to be willing to contribute for conservation. Improving the livelihood of households, creation of awareness and setting fair contribution need to be considered to enhance community’s participation in baobab tree conservation.

KEYWORDS:

• Degradation
• baobab tree
• double-bounded dichotomous choice
• bivariate probit model
• willingness to pay
• contingent valuation method

Notes

¹ 1 USD = 29 ETB.