Willingness to Pay and Market Potential for BioWRAP: An Economic Study of a New Biodegradable Mulch Product in Home Gardening

Authors

Gengchen Cai, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Karina Schoengold

Second Advisor

Christopher R. Gustafson

Third Advisor

Erin Haacker

Committee Members

Christopher R. Gustafson

Date of this Version

9-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Major: Agricultural Economics

Under the supervision of Professor Karina Schoengold

Lincoln, Nebraska, September 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Gengchen Cai. Used by permission

Abstract

This study explores the market potential of BioWRAP, a biodegradable sprayable weed suppression product, by assessing the willingness to pay (WTP) among American home gardeners. Traditional plastic mulch offers significant agronomic benefits but poses considerable environmental challenges, making BioWRAP a promising alternative due to its similar benefits and reduced environmental impact. Using a double-bounded contingent valuation method, we analyze the WTP for BioWRAP among different demographic groups and gardening practices. Our findings indicate that the highest WTP for BioWRAP is among home gardeners who currently use chemical sprays for weed suppression, followed by those using physical barriers, with the lowest WTP among those who rely on physical labor. Additionally, greater environmental concerns positively correlate with a higher WTP for BioWRAP. This study offers valuable insights into consumer preferences and market strategies for promoting biodegradable mulch products in the American home gardening market.

Advisor: Karina Schoengold