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Comparing the Productive Effects of Cash and Food Transfers in a Crisis Setting: Evidence from a Randomised Experiment in Yemen

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  • Benjamin Schwab

Abstract

The productive impacts of transfer programmes have been receiving increased attention. However, little is known about such effects in emergency and crisis settings. Even less is known about whether transfer type – a food basket or a cash grant – influences the productive potential of such transfers. Theory suggests that cash transfers can relieve liquidity constraints associated with investments, but subsidised food provision, by acting as a form of insurance, may prevent households from retreating to conservative income-generating strategies during volatile periods. This report contrasts the effects of transfer modality during a randomised field experiment in Yemen. The results demonstrate a modest productive impact of both modalities and suggest a role for liquidity and price risk channels. Cash transfer recipients invested relatively more in activities with higher liquidity requirements (livestock), while food recipients incorporated higher-return crops into their agricultural portfolios.

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  • Benjamin Schwab, 2019. "Comparing the Productive Effects of Cash and Food Transfers in a Crisis Setting: Evidence from a Randomised Experiment in Yemen," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(S1), pages 29-54, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:55:y:2019:i:s1:p:29-54
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2019.1687880
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    Cited by:

    1. Koppenberg, Maximilian & Mishra, Ashok K. & Hirsch, Stefan, 2023. "Food aid and violent conflict: A review and Empiricist’s companion," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    2. Wolfgang Stojetz & Piero Ronzani & Tilman Brück & Jeanne Pinay & Marco d'Errico, 2024. "Building Resilience in Conflict Areas: Quasi-experimental Evidence from Borno State in North-east Nigeria," HiCN Working Papers 419, Households in Conflict Network.
    3. Jeong,Dahyeon & Trako,Iva, 2022. "Cash and In-Kind Transfers in Humanitarian Settings : A Review of Evidence and Knowledge Gaps," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10026, The World Bank.
    4. Kaila, Heidi & Azad, Abul, 2023. "The effects of crime and violence on food insecurity and consumption in Nigeria," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    5. World Bank, 2024. "Cash or In-Kind Transfers : Do Outcomes Vary According to Transfer Modality?," Social Protection Discussion Papers and Notes 191207, The World Bank.
    6. Silvio Daidone & Francisco Pereira Fontes, 2023. "The role of social protection in mitigating the effects of rainfall shocks. Evidence from Ethiopia," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 60(3), pages 315-332, December.
    7. Xing Ji & Jingwen Xu & Hongxiao Zhang, 2022. "How Does China’s New Rural Pension Scheme Affect Agricultural Production?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-23, July.
    8. Stephen O’Connell & Onur Altındağ & and Rim Achour, 2024. "Geographic poverty targeting in social protection programs: Evidence from a nationwide policy experiment," HiCN Working Papers 418, Households in Conflict Network.
    9. Mastrorillo, Marina & Scognamillo, Antonio & Ginet, Camille & Pietrelli, Rebecca & d’Errico, Marco & Ignaciuk, Adriana, 2022. "Enhancing refugees’ self-reliance in Uganda – The role of cash and food assistance," ESA Working Papers 324702, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA).
    10. Scognamillo, Antonio & Mastrorillo, Marina & Ignaciuk, Adriana, 2024. "One for all and all for one: Increasing the adaptive capacity of households and communities through a public work programme," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    11. Yuliani, Efi & Nasrudin, Rus'an, 2024. "The effects of the Indonesian conditional cash transfer program on transition out of agriculture," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    12. Ghassan Baliki & Melodie Al Daccache & Hala Ghattas & Tilman Brück, 2024. "Short- and medium-term impacts of small-scale vegetable support on food security: evidence from Syria," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 16(4), pages 921-932, August.
    13. Sitko, Nicholas J. & Scognamillo, Antonio & Malevolti, Giulia, 2021. "Does receiving food aid influence the adoption of climate-adaptive agricultural practices? Evidence from Ethiopia and Malawi," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    14. Koppenberg, Maximilian & Mishra, Ashok K. & Hirsch, Stefan, 2023. "Food Aid and Violent Conflict: A Review of Literature," IZA Discussion Papers 16574, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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