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Understanding the Investment Behavior of Ugandan Smallholder Farmers: An Experimental Analysis

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  • Ihli, Hanna Julia
  • Musshoff, Oliver

Abstract

In this study, we experimentally analyze the investment behavior of smallholder farmers in Uganda. We ascertain whether, and to what extent, the real options approach and the classical investment theory can predict farmers’ investment behaviors. We also examine differences in the investment behavior with respect to the presence of a price floor, which is often used to stimulate investments. Furthermore, we look at learning effects. We consider a problem of optimal stopping, stylizing an option to invest in a project. Our results show that both theories do not explain the observed investment behavior exactly. However, our results suggest that the real options models better predict the decision behavior of farmers than classical investment theory. The presence of a price floor has a significant impact on the investment behavior of Ugandan smallholder farmers. Learning from personal experience during the experiment does not have an effect on the investment behavior. However, we find that specific socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics affect the investment behavior of farmers.

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  • Ihli, Hanna Julia & Musshoff, Oliver, 2013. "Understanding the Investment Behavior of Ugandan Smallholder Farmers: An Experimental Analysis," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 150331, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea13:150331
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.150331
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    2. Cárcamo, Jorge & von Cramon-Taubadel, Stephan, 2016. "Assessing small-scale raspberry producers’ risk and ambiguity preferences: evidence from field- experiment data in rural Chile," Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (DARE) Discussion Papers 260774, Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (DARE).
    3. Myslym Osmani & Arben Kambo, 2019. "Small-Scale Apple Farmers' Willingness to Invest - the Case of Korça Region Farmers in Albania," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 67(1), pages 309-323.
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    5. Cárcamo, Jorge & Cramon-Taubadel, Stephan von, 2016. "Assessing small-scale raspberry producers' risk and ambiguity preferences: Evidence from field-experiment data in rural Chile," DARE Discussion Papers 1610, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (DARE).
    6. Schwarze, Stefan & Euler, Michael & Gatto, Marcel & Hein, J. & Hettig, Elisabeth & Holtkamp, Anna Mareike & Izhar, Lutfi & Kunz, Y. & Lay, J. & Merten, J. & Moser, S. & Mußhoff, O. & Otten, Fenna & Qa, 2015. "Rubber vs. oil palm: an analysis of factors influencing smallholders' crop choice in Jambi, Indonesia," EFForTS Discussion Paper Series 11, University of Goettingen, Collaborative Research Centre 990 "EFForTS, Ecological and Socioeconomic Functions of Tropical Lowland Rainforest Transformation Systems (Sumatra, Indonesia)".

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