Farm-level survey data on participation in agri-environmental schemes from regions in Germany, Czechia and England

We present survey data from 250 farmers located in Saxony (Germany), southern Moravia (Czech Republic) and England and their decisions on adopting agri-environmental schemes (AES). The online survey was conducted between September 2021 and April 2022 and included mostly closed-ended questions and a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Survey data covers farm characteristics, personal values and socio-demographic questions, as well as experience with existing AES and factors influencing farmers’ participation in specific schemes. With the DCE, we collected preferences of farmers across case studies for a selection of contract characteristics. Respondents had to choose between four alternative AES and a “no scheme” option where farmers would not get any funding for agri-environmental practices. In addition to the offered payment level, contract length, bureaucratic effort and advisory support were key attributes that varied between the schemes.