Farmers’ Preferences and Practices Regarding Bio-Based Fertilizers: A Croatian Perspective

Mihaela Šatvar Vrbančić (), Lepomir Čoga, Ana Marija Špicnagel, Natalija Vugrin, Erik Meers and Tajana Čop
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Mihaela Šatvar Vrbančić: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Lepomir Čoga: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Marija Špicnagel: IPS Konzalting, Ante Starčevića 66, 44000 Sisak, Croatia
Natalija Vugrin: IPS Konzalting, Ante Starčevića 66, 44000 Sisak, Croatia
Erik Meers: Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Copure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Tajana Čop: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-21

Abstract: Sustainable agriculture requires a shift from mineral to bio-based fertilizers (BBFs), but farmer adoption has not been sufficiently studied in Croatia. This study examines Croatian farmers’ preferences, practices and barriers to adopting BBFs using a nationwide survey and regression analysis, filling gaps in research on fertilizer use. The results show that while farmers are satisfied with conventional options, they want more variety and express concerns about nutrient concentration and soil impact. Interest in BBFs is high—particularly for low-cost or high-impact products—but uptake is hindered by financial constraints and limited information. Notably, most farmers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly fertilizers, despite being price sensitive. By highlighting key drivers and barriers, this study provides actionable insights that could provide strategies for policy makers, farmers and industry representatives to support Croatia’s transition to sustainable fertilizer practices, with implications for similar agricultural regions.

Keywords: farmers; bio-based fertilizers; mineral fertilizers; circular economy; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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