Ecosystem valuation and eco-compensation for conservation of traditional paddy ecosystems and varieties in Kerala, India

Shenaz Rasheed, P. Venkatesh, Dharam Raj Singh, V.R. Renjini, Girish Kumar Jha and Dinesh Kumar Sharma

Ecosystem Services, 2021, vol. 49, issue C

Abstract: Etymologically ‘the land of paddy fields’, Wayanad district in Kerala, India, is a hub of numerous traditional paddy varieties. These varieties are less-input intensive and highly adaptive to changing climate and stresses. However, shifting cropping patterns in the district led to massive conversions of traditional paddy ecosystems posing threats to agrobiodiversity and ecological stability. Using market price, replacement cost and benefit transfer methods, it was estimated that Wayanad paddy ecosystem generates US$8,391 ha−1 worth of ecosystem services annually, of which 77% is non-marketed. The potential of eco-compensation in incentivizing agrobiodiversity conservation was assessed using single bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation. The analysis found that farmers were willing to accept a mean compensation of US$106 ha−1 as incentive to cultivate traditional paddy varieties, which was lower than the Government’s incentive under ‘Wayanad package scheme’. But these amounts are very low in comparison to the annual value of ecosystem services. Hence, the value of ecosystem services needs to be accounted for in eco-compensation framework and farmers should be duly recognized and paid for the invisible fruits of their toil.

Keywords: Ecosystem valuation; Eco-compensation; Conservation; Paddy ecosystem services; Traditional paddy varieties; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:49:y:2021:i:c:s2212041621000309

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2021.101272

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