Author : Yoeu Asikin

Summary : The study found that the sample farmer-respondents have a high level of awareness on the benefits and functions of flooded forest. Sixty-four percent of the respondents were members of the flooded forest conservation (FFC) program; the rest did not join the program. The probability of participating in the FFC program was influenced by factors such as age, educational attainment, gender, household size and distance from residence to flooded forest area. Eighty-two percent of the respondents expressed willingness to pay for conservation of flooded forest. On average, the WTP price for a farm household was 2,357 Riels per month. The respondents' willingness to pay was affected by factors such as age, income and participation in training program. They were willing to pay for conservation mainly because they wanted to protect the flooded forest as reported by 88 percent of the respondents. In terms of the method of collection, most of sample farmer-respondents would like the community themselves through the village leader to collect the WTP fund. The respondents said that they would prefer to pay the WTP fee monthly.