ENVIRONMENTAL VALUATION OF FARMS OF THE XOPOTÓ RIVER WATERSHED COUNTIES, MG

Abstract

The studies of environmental economy are based on the understanding that environmental conservation and improvements can be executed through the use of economic instruments. However, to use these instruments, it is necessary to understand the economic value of the environment. The environmental resources and services values can be estimated by the knowledge of the society willingness to pay (WTP) for their preservation. Inside of this perspective, a socioeconomic and environmental diagnosis was accomplished on the Xopotó River Watershed. The diagnosis aimed at estimating the environmental value of 40 farms distributed in four counties of this watershed. Through the adaptation of the Willingness to Pay (WTP) methodology, the Willingness to Receive (WTR) of each farmer to immobilize areas in their farms to ensure the provision of environmental services was estimated. The Xopotó River Watershed is undergoing great pressures that endanger the promotion of environmental services. The value of the WTR revealed by the farmers to maintain preserved areas of important environmental functions in their farms corresponds, on average, to R$160,00.(ha.year)-1. This value is closed to that one which is already practiced in some payment for environmental services initiatives in Brazil. This value serve as reference for implementation of public policies, which would recognize the farmers as environmental services producers, motivating them to continue exercising these services for the human survival.