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Should farmers invest in financial assets as a risk management strategy? Some evidence from New Zealand

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  • Nartea, Gilbert V.
  • Webster, Paul

Abstract

This study explores the potential for risk reduction by New Zealand farmers through the diversification of their farm asset portfolios to include financial investments such as ordinary industrial shares, government bonds and bank bills. Low correlations between rates of return on farm and these financial assets suggest that significant reduction of income variability might follow their inclusion in farmers’ portfolios. Stochastic efficiency analysis is used to analyse alternative portfolios of ordinary shares, government bonds and bank bills and New Zealand farmland, using coefficients of absolute risk aversion derived from a negative exponential utility function. The results suggest that those farmers showing high degrees of risk aversion would gain utility by including financial assets in their portfolios. Deregulation of the New Zealand economy in the 1980s appeared to reduce the potential gains from diversification. Bonds rather than ordinary shares are the main contributors to portfolios which maximise utility for individuals classified as ‘somewhat’ risk averse.

Suggested Citation

  • Nartea, Gilbert V. & Webster, Paul, 2008. "Should farmers invest in financial assets as a risk management strategy? Some evidence from New Zealand," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 52(2), pages 1-20.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aareaj:118538
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.118538
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    Cited by:

    1. Shadbolt, Nicola M. & Olubode-Awosola, Femi, 2016. "Resilience, Risk and Entrepreneurship," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 19(2), pages 1-20, May.
    2. Leppälä, Jarkko & Rautiainen, Risto & Kauranen, Ilkka, 2015. "Analysis of risk management tools applicable in managing farm risks: A literature review," International Journal of Agricultural Management, Institute of Agricultural Management, vol. 4(3), April.
    3. Svend Rasmussen & Anders L. Madsen & Mogens Lund, 2013. "Bayesian network as a modelling tool for risk management in agriculture," IFRO Working Paper 2013/12, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food and Resource Economics.
    4. Svend Rasmussen, 2013. "A model for the optimal risk management of (farm) firms," IFRO Working Paper 2013/10, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food and Resource Economics.

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