Data on the stated adoption decisions of Swiss farmers for variable rate nitrogen fertilization technologies

Abstract

We present data on the stated preference for the adoption of variable rate technologies from 418 crop farmers in Switzerland. The online survey was conducted online in spring 2021. It consisted of two parts: 1) a choice experiment and 2) questions about farmers' characteristics, expectations and beliefs, as well as their risk preferences. In the choice experiment, farmers were presented with eight consecutive choice tasks. Each task consisted of three alternatives, two hypothetical scenarios for variable rate technologies adoption and the status quo option. We used a split-sample approach and varied the additional profit margin gained through higher yields, label premiums or subsidies for one subsample (focussing on the willigness to accept) and additional cost (acquisition, maintenance and other costs) for the other subsample (focussing on the willigness to pay). Non-monetary attributes include 1) ownership of the technology; 2) potential to increase nitrogen use efficiency and thus reduce nitrogen losses to the environment; 3) uncertainties about the actual impact of the technology on yields and profits (reliability); 4) support in case of technical difficulties. We also collected data on farmers' experiences, attitudes and goals, as well as their risk preferences. Additionally, the survey data were matched with data from the cantonal farm census, which contains information on farm characteristics.

Keywords

• Precision agriculture
• Variable rate technologies
• Technology adoption
• Choice modelling