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Liquidity constraints, informal institutions, and the adoption of weather insurance: A randomized controlled Trial in Ethiopia

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  • Belissa, Temesgen
  • Bulte, Erwin
  • Cecchi, Francesco
  • Gangopadhyay, Shubhashis
  • Lensink, Robert

Abstract

We report the results of a drought insurance experiment in Ethiopia, and examine whether uptake of index-based insurance is enhanced if we allow farmers to pay after harvest (addressing a liquidity constraint). We also test to what extent uptake can be enhanced by promoting insurance via informal risk-sharing institutions (Iddirs), to reduce trust and information problems. The delayed payment insurance product increases uptake substantially when compared to standard insurance, from 8% to 24%, and leveraging informal institutions results in even greater uptake (43%). We also find suggestive evidence that the delayed premium product is indeed better at targeting the liquidity constrained. However, default rates associated with delayed payments are relatively high and concentrated in a small number of Iddirs – potentially compromising the economic viability of the novel product. We discuss how default rates can be reduced.

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  • Belissa, Temesgen & Bulte, Erwin & Cecchi, Francesco & Gangopadhyay, Shubhashis & Lensink, Robert, 2019. "Liquidity constraints, informal institutions, and the adoption of weather insurance: A randomized controlled Trial in Ethiopia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 269-278.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:140:y:2019:i:c:p:269-278
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2019.06.006
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    2. Berg, Erlend & Blake, Michael & Morsink, Karlijn, 2022. "Risk sharing and the demand for insurance: Theory and experimental evidence from Ethiopia," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 236-256.
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    7. Sarah Janzen & Nicholas Magnan & Conner Mullally & Soye Shin & I. Bailey Palmer & Judith Oduol & Karl Hughes, 2021. "Can Experiential Games and Improved Risk Coverage Raise Demand for Index Insurance? Evidence from Kenya," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(1), pages 338-361, January.
    8. Tappi, Marco & Carucci, Federica & Gatta, Giuseppe & Giuliani, Marcella Michela & Lamonaca, Emilia & Santeramo, Fabio Gaetano, 2023. "Temporal and design approaches and yield-weather relationships," MPRA Paper 117488, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Khushbu Mishra & Richard A. Gallenstein & Mario J. Miranda & Abdoul G. Sam & Patricia Toledo & Francis Mulangu, 2021. "Insured Loans and Credit Access: Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment in Northern Ghana," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(3), pages 923-943, May.
    10. Zhao, Tianrui & Chen, Kezheng & Wang, Qian & Luo, Chunyang, 2023. "Financial literacy, liquidity constraits and household risk asset allocation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PC).
    11. Fluhrer, Svenja, 2023. "Crowding-in or crowding-out: The effect of humanitarian aid on households’ investments in climate adaptation," MPRA Paper 117975, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Yanyan Liu & Kevin Chen & Ruth V. Hill, 2020. "Delayed Premium Payment, Insurance Adoption, and Household Investment in Rural China," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 102(4), pages 1177-1197, August.
    13. Hample, Kelsey C, 2021. "Formal insurance for the informally insured: Experimental evidence from Kenya," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 22(C).
    14. Erwin Bulte & Robert Lensink, 2021. "Empowerment and intimate partner violence: Domestic abuse when household income is uncertain," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(1), pages 148-162, February.
    15. Patil, Vikram & Veettil, Prakashan Chellattan & Yashodha, Yashodha, 2021. "Understanding Farmers’ Low Uptake of Crop Insurance in India: A Discrete Choice Experiment Approach," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315232, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    16. Guibril Zerbo, 2024. "Arbitrage entre assurance et auto-assurance contre les risques naturels," EconomiX Working Papers 2024-30, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    17. Witsanu Attavanich & Sommarat Chantarat & Jirath Chenphuengpawn & Phumsith Mahasuweerachai & Kannika Thampanishvong, 2019. "Farms, Farmers and Farming: A Perspective through Data and Behavioral Insights," PIER Discussion Papers 122, Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research.
    18. Osborne, Matthew & Lambe, Fiona & Ran, Ylva & Dehmel, Naira & Tabacco, Giovanni Alberto & Balungira, Joshua & Pérez-Viana, Borja & Widmark, Erik & Holmlid, Stefan & Verschoor, Arjan, 2022. "Designing development interventions: The application of service design and discrete choice experiments in complex settings," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
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    20. Rajeev, Meenakshi & Nagendran, Pranav, 2023. "Protecting land and livelihood under climate risks: What hinders crop insurance adoption?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
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    22. Schwab, Benjamin & Yu, Jisang, 2022. "Guaranteed Storage? Risk and Credit Constraints in the Demand for Postharvest Technology and Rice Seed Storage Decisions in Bangladesh," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322475, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    23. Hengli Wang & Hong Liu & Danyang Wang, 2022. "Agricultural Insurance, Climate Change, and Food Security: Evidence from Chinese Farmers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, August.
    24. Williams Ali & Awudu Abdulai & Ashok K. Mishra, 2020. "Recent Advances in the Analyses of Demand for Agricultural Insurance in Developing and Emerging Countries," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 12(1), pages 411-430, October.

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