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Effects Of Weather-Index Insurance: The Case Of Smallholder Maize Farmers In Northern Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Haruna, Bashiru
  • Sohngen, Brent
  • Yahaya, Iddrisu
  • Wiredu, Alexander Nimo

Abstract

The study investigates the effect of weather-index insurance on intensity of fertilizer use and yields among 230 smallholder maize farmers in Northern Region of Ghana. Out of the total sample of selected farmers, about 35% purchased the insurance. Using an endogenous treatment regression model, the study showed that weather-index insurance purchase increased the intensity of fertilizer use but did not have a significant effect on maize yield. Past experience of crop failure due to drought, livestock ownership as well as the total area of land owned explained weather-index insurance purchase in the study area. Based on the results of this study, the Government of Ghana can use weather-index insurance as a policy tool to increase the use of fertilizer by smallholder maize farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Haruna, Bashiru & Sohngen, Brent & Yahaya, Iddrisu & Wiredu, Alexander Nimo, . "Effects Of Weather-Index Insurance: The Case Of Smallholder Maize Farmers In Northern Ghana," International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (IJFAEC), Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Department of Economics and Finance, vol. 5(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ijfaec:266437
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.266437
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Adelesi, Opeyemi Obafemi & Kim, Yean-Uk & Schuler, Johannes & Zander, Peter & Njoroge, Michael Murithi & Waithaka, Lilian & Abdulai, Alhassan Lansah & MacCarthy, Dilys Sefakor & Webber, Heidi, 2024. "The potential for index-based crop insurance to stabilize smallholder farmers' gross margins in Northern Ghana," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).

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