Estimation of non-market benefits from boll weevil eradication in the Texas Gulf Coast region

oll weevil eradication is a policy proposal under consideration in Texas. Several types of benefits flowing from boll weevil eradication services possess non-exclusive and/or non-rival characteristics. As with many public-type goods, well developed markets for these services do not exist. This implies that traditional welfare analyses may result in incomplete estimation of benefits. The purpose of this study was to estimate the non-market portion of benefits from BWE in the Texas Gulf Coast region.;Non-market valuation methods exists which are applicable to value changes in the provision of several pest management resources which would be affected by boll weevil eradication. Boll weevil eradication would ultimately be decided upon by a farmer referendum. The referendum format lends itself to a particular version of the contingent valuation method. A survey was developed, pre-tested, and administered to a sample of cotton farmers in the Coastal Bend and Upper Coast regions. The data collected in this survey were used to estimate models of general support and the willingness to pay premiums for BWE services (i.e., over and above expected break-even costs).;The general support for BWE was strong, widespread, and was not significantly affected by operation size nor the use of typical BWE tactics. However, other significant determinants of farmer support were identified, creating implications for the design and implementation of BWE programs in the study area. Support for BWE as a correction of pest management stock effects was greater among farmers exhibiting stronger recognition of these stock effects and associated costs. A greater awareness of existing BWE programs was an important determinant of general support for BWE, regardless of prior education.;The valuation results implied that an effective BWE program would produce annual non-market benefits of...