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Livestock insurance, an important risk management tool, is gaining popularity in Ethiopia. Proper investigation is needed to expand its adaptability throughout the country. This study was designed to explore the willingness and payment capacity of farmers in Southern Ethiopia to pay for index-based livestock insurance as an alternative solution to climate risk mitigation. A mixed research method was employed to gather data from primary and secondary sources. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 157 cattle farmers, drawn randomly from the study area. The study also used key informant interviews and focus group discussions to collect qualitative data. Descriptive statistics, inferential tests, and double-hurdle model were used to analyze quantitative data. Word descriptions and thematic analysis were employed for qualitative data analysis. The results of the study showed that a significant proportion of farmers were willing to pay for IBLI services. The findings also suggested that the demand for index-based livestock insurance seemed to be influenced by a number of factors. Those households that are headed by a men, who are better educated, who are better experienced in farming system, and those who have access to credit and training are more likely to pay for the insurance. Farmers' perception of weather-related risks and awareness about insurance also influenced farmers' willingness to pay positively. Furthermore, farmers with larger assets, such as land and livestock, have more confidence in paying capacity for insurance. Farmers with mass media access were more likely to pay for IBLI. However, households with larger number of household members and those who perceived the cost of the insurance premium as unaffordable are less likely to purchase the IBLI. These significant factors impacting households' willingness to pay for the insurance services must be considered in adaptation pathways. The Dasenech district case study suggests that IBLI can effectively mitigate climate risks and be applied to other regions with similar socioeconomic characteristics and production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of advancing the transformation and upgrading of grassland animal husbandry, encouraging and guiding the widespread adoption of livestock insurance plays an important role in promoting the sustainable development of the livestock industry. This paper explores the impact of herders' attitudes and perceptions towards climate change risks on their livestock insurance strategies. Firstly, experimental economics methods are employed to measure the risk preferences of herders on the Tibetan Plateau. Secondly, a theoretical model incorporating risk preferences and insurance adoption behavior is constructed. Finally, the effects of herders' risk preferences on insurance adoption behavior are empirically examined through double-hurdle models, instrumental variable models, and moderating effect models. The results reveal that (1) most herders on the Tibetan Plateau exhibit risk-averse characteristics. (2) The degree of risk preference has a significant negative impact on herders' insurance adoption behavior, while the risk perception significantly positively influences insurance adoption. The results remain valid even after addressing issues of endogeneity and conducting robustness checks. (3) Livestock income plays a crucial moderating role in the mechanism through which risk attitudes affect insurance adoption behavior. (4) The impact of risk preference on insurance adoption behavior shows regional and income heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy production is one of the risky businesses, which seeks effective risk management strategies. Adoption of a livestock insurance scheme is one of the most effective risk management strategies for dairy entrepreneurs. However, in Nepal, insurance coverage is very low in the dairy sub-sector. The study aimed to assess the dairy farmer’s willingness to pay for the livestock insurance scheme. The study was carried out in Kavrepalanchowk district of Nepal in 2022. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 146 dairy farmers. Double Bounded Dichotomous Choice Contingent Valuation technique was used to estimate Willingness to Pay (WTP). About 93% of the respondent farmers were the member of cooperatives which was the major source of information flow for livestock insurance scheme to them. The result revealed that number of cattle reared, awareness about livestock insurance scheme, and experience of livestock loss have significant positive influences in the decision regarding the adoption of livestock insurance. Farmers are willing to pay more than the current premium rate for livestock insurance. Hence, only increasing the subsidy might not be the solution in expanding the livestock insurance adoption rate. Rather, alternative approach like mobilizing institutions (cooperative) in expanding the insurance scheme is required.

Insurance plays an important role in building rural livelihood resilience, in the context of climate change. Existing research examines the factors influencing insurance uptake and the effects of insurance adoption on informal risk-sharing strategies. This study, however, argues that insurance is an external policy intervention being introduced into a diversity of rural community adaptation strategies that are crucial components of resilient livelihood development. In this context, this study focuses on the case of subsidized livestock insurance in Tibetan pastoral regions with pooled cross-sectional data spanning three distinct time periods to explore how formal subsidized livestock insurance interacts with the diversity of adaptation strategies. Our findings first revealed a rising trend in subsidized livestock insurance adoption, accompanied by increased utilization of various on-pastoralism strategies, including custom-based and market-based approaches, and off-pastoralism strategies, such as increasing income sources. Second, our studies found a significant positive correlation between livestock insurance and the diversity index of market-based and off-pastoralism adaptation strategies, indicating a more complementary relationship. In addition, our studies discovered that the introduction of livestock insurance does not have an obvious correlation with custom-based strategies, dismissing the concerns of the potential displacement of informal custom-based adaptation strategies by subsidized livestock insurance. These results highlight that the subsidized livestock insurance policy is among many other adaptation strategies that rural communities have applied to respond to climate changes and build resilient livelihoods. Government-subsidized livestock insurance is an effective strategy for adaptation to climate change in pastoral areas, covering the high losses of pastoralists after a weather-related disaster and helping them recover. In Tibetan pastoral regions there is a positive relationship between livestock insurance on the one hand, and a diversity of market-based and off-pastoralism adaptation strategies on the other. Livestock insurance, a government policy-driven adaptation strategy, has become part of the diverse adaptation strategies that herders have implemented to respond to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the response of cattle/buffalo farmers and the factors influencing the participation of cattle/buffalo farmers in the Livestock Insurance Program for Cattle and Buffalo in Tanah Laut Regency. This research was conducted in Tanah Laut Regency. The study was planned to be carried out from February to April 2023. The analytical tool used was simple tabulation analysis (univariate analysis) presented descriptively, as well as binary logistic regression analysis. The research findings indicate that the average score of farmers' response to the Livestock Insurance Program for Cattle and Buffalo in Pelaihari District, Tanah Laut Regency, falls within the good category, with a percentage of 69%. The factors of farmers' education duration, ease of livestock insurance claim procedures for cattle and buffalo, and ease of registration procedures for livestock insurance for cattle and buffalo significantly influence the farmers' response and participation in the Livestock Insurance Program for Cattle and Buffalo in Pelaihari District, Tanah Laut Regency, on the other hand, factors such as farmers' participation in farmer groups, the number of livestock managed, the duration of cattle farming experience, participation in livestock insurance awareness campaigns, the risk of cattle mortality, the level of engagement by officers/extension workers in conducting livestock insurance awareness campaigns, and farmers' participation regardless of the existence of the Livestock Insurance Program for Cattle and Buffalo do not have a significant influence.

This study aims to analyze the response of cattle/buffalo farmers and the factors influencing the participation of cattle/buffalo farmers in the Livestock Insurance Program for Cattle and Buffalo in Tanah Laut Regency. This research was conducted in Tanah Laut Regency. The study was planned to be carried out from February to April 2023. The analytical tool used was simple tabulation analysis (univariate analysis) presented descriptively, as well as binary logistic regression analysis. The research findings indicate that the average score of farmers' response to the Livestock Insurance Program for Cattle and Buffalo in Pelaihari District, Tanah Laut Regency, falls within the good category, with a percentage of 69%. The factors of farmers' education duration, ease of livestock insurance claim procedures for cattle and buffalo, and ease of registration procedures for livestock insurance for cattle and buffalo significantly influence the farmers' response and participation in the Livestock Insurance Program for Cattle and Buffalo in Pelaihari District, Tanah Laut Regency, on the other hand, factors such as farmers' participation in farmer groups, the number of livestock managed, the duration of cattle farming experience, participation in livestock insurance awareness campaigns, the risk of cattle mortality, the level of engagement by officers/extension workers in conducting livestock insurance awareness campaigns, and farmers' participation regardless of the existence of the Livestock Insurance Program for Cattle and Buffalo do not have a significant influence.

Animal husbandry is a vital sector in China's agriculture sector, contributing to over one-third of its agricultural output, and more than 40% of farmers' income. However, this industry is vulnerable to risks arising from production and operation, such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and market fluctuations. Livestock insurance can help mitigate these risks, but the lack of reliable data on shed environments has hindered its effectiveness. The objective of this study is to propose a livestock shed environmental regulatory platform that utilizes blockchain and the Internet of Things to ensure data authenticity, real-time monitoring, and transparency in the regulatory process. The platform also automates the insurance process, reducing costs and improving efficiency. The proposed platform employs blockchain to ensure data authenticity and devices to monitor and collect real-time environmental data. It also utilizes smart contracts to automate the insurance process, from negotiating and signing contracts to making insurance claims. The system's design rationale, architecture, and implementation are detailed. The proposed platform has been implemented and currently manages over 300,000 livestock animals with more than 350,000 insurance contracts signed. The use of blockchain and the Internet of Things has ensured data authenticity, real-time monitoring, and transparency in the regulatory process, while the automation of the insurance process has reduced costs and improved efficiency. The proposed livestock shed environmental regulatory platform has the potential to improve the effectiveness of livestock insurance in China by addressing the critical issue of data reliability. The use of blockchain and the Internet of Things has enabled real-time monitoring, data authenticity, and transparency in the regulatory process, while the automation of the insurance process has improved efficiency and reduced costs. This platform could serve as a model for other countries looking to improve the effectiveness of their livestock insurance programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of advancing the transformation and upgrading of grassland animal husbandry, encouraging and guiding the widespread adoption of livestock insurance plays an important role in promoting the sustainable development of the livestock industry. This paper explores the impact of herders’ attitudes and perceptions towards climate change risks on their livestock insurance strategies. Firstly, experimental economics methods are employed to measure the risk preferences of herders on the Tibetan Plateau. Secondly, a theoretical model incorporating risk preferences and insurance adoption behavior is constructed. Finally, the effects of herders’ risk preferences on insurance adoption behavior are empirically examined through double-hurdle models, instrumental variable models, and moderating effect models. The results reveal that (1) most herders on the Tibetan Plateau exhibit risk-averse characteristics. (2) The degree of risk preference has a significant negative impact on herders’ insurance adoption behavior, while the risk perception significantly positively influences insurance adoption. The results remain valid even after addressing issues of endogeneity and conducting robustness checks. (3) Livestock income plays a crucial moderating role in the mechanism through which risk attitudes affect insurance adoption behavior. (4) The impact of risk preference on insurance adoption behavior shows regional and income heterogeneity.

Pastoralists in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable to changing climatic conditions and heavily affected by an increasing frequency of severe droughts. To increase drought resilience, livestock index insurance constitutes a promising tool that is aligned to mitigate covariate risks. Uptake rates for these products are, however, relatively low. This article uses choice-experimental data collected in Northern Kenya to analyse preferences for hypothetical livestock index insurance contracts among pastoralists. Results show that pastoralists prefer lower strike levels as well as transparency in the form of regular radio announcements and text messages informing the policyholder about the location-specific index readings. Highly valued are trust enhancing features such as an index certification. We do not find any indication that the option to split the premium payment into two instalments as a way to relax potential liquidity constraints could lead to higher demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides novel evidence on how risk exposure shapes demand for index-based weather insurance. The focus is on Mongolia, where index-based livestock insurance is offered as a commercial product to pastoralists threatened by extreme weather events that cause high livestock mortality. The analysis draws on district-level data covering the whole country, spanning eleven years. Our study exploits a particular feature in the design of the Mongolian index insurance: The insurance sales period predates the payout period of the previous insurance season, which allows us to separate the effects of risk exposure from the income effects of payouts. Results from a two-way fixed effects model show that demand for index insurance increases in areas exposed to adverse winter conditions during the insurance sales period, when pastoralists have to decide about purchasing insurance coverage for next year's winter. We argue that results are best explained by availability bias, with households adapting their risk perception in response to adverse weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock businesses have various risks of death that can occur due to accidents, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks. To anticipate the risks that occur, the government seeks to help farmers through agricultural insurance, including the cattle and buffalo business insurance program (AUTSK= Asuransi Usaha ternak Sapi/Kerbau). This study aims to analyze the implementation of the AUTSK program and the factors that affect the income of dairy farmers. The research was conducted in Ngajum District, Malang Regency with the consideration that this area is a center for dairy cows. Data were collected from 40 dairy farmers obtained by simple random sampling. Furthermore, the data was edited and compiled, and then analyzed using the multiple linear analysis method (which was transformed from Cobb Douglas function). The results showed that implementation of the AUTSK program in Malang Regency tended to be less attractive to farmers because the fulfillment of claims was not timely (the period of disbursement of funds was too long). Farmer education, livestock ownership and the cost of concentrate feed have a significant effect on the income of dairy farmers. Government needs to re-evaluate implementation of livestock insurance so that farmers can continue their business. Limitation of this study is difficulty of separating cost of production facilities for each cow, so that the expenditure for lactating cows is also difficult to calculate correctly.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors in the production processes of cattle and small ruminant breeding enterprises, along with developing a scale that could be used during the insured breeding process in different regions of Turkey. In this study, we obtained information from 252 enterprises from different provinces (Afyonkarahisar, Aksaray, Ankara, Burdur, Karaman, and Konya) of Turkey. Reliability and validity analyses were conducted using the “Risk Assessment Form in Cattle and Small Ruminant Animal Production”. The Cronbach alpha (α) coefficient was used to analyze reliability, while the exploratory factor analysis was applied to analyze the validity. About 68.7% (173) of the enterprises included cattle breeding, while the remaining 31.3% (79) involved small ruminant breeding. To determine the risk factors, twenty-four questions were directed toward the livestock enterprises, and the following six factors were determined: Economic-Political Risks, Yield/Product Losses, Enterprise Technical Risks, Credit/Financing, Workforce, Enterprise Follow-up, and Registration. In the politico-economic risk scoring, the score of enterprises already having Animal life insurance (ALI) was observed to be higher than those who did not have it, with the difference being statistically significant (p

This paper uses Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to formulate strategies to prevent moral hazard acts in agricultural insurance in Indonesia. Agricultural insurance takes place, mainly, through Rice Crop Insurance and Cattle Insurance. Generally, the strategies that can be performed to minimize moral hazard practice in agricultural insurance programs are: developing the capacity of human resources, improving field communication, enforcing penalties, institutional strengthening, and adding new products through Islamic agricultural insurance. Specifically, this paper proposes that the prevention of moral hazard practices can be done by implementing Islamic agricultural insurance systems with the concept of risk-sharing instead of risk transfer.

Copyright of Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios is the property of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Livestock businesses have various risks of death that can occur due to accidents, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks. To anticipate the risks that occur, the government seeks to help farmers through agricultural insurance, including the cattle and buffalo business insurance program (AUTSK= Asuransi Usaha ternak Sapi/Kerbau). This study aims to analyze the implementation of the AUTSK program and the factors that affect the income of dairy farmers. The research was conducted in Ngajum District, Malang Regency with the consideration that this area is a center for dairy cows. Data were collected from 40 dairy farmers obtained by simple random sampling. Furthermore, the data was edited and compiled, and then analyzed using the multiple linear analysis method (which was transformed from Cobb Douglas function). The results showed that implementation of the AUTSK program in Malang Regency tended to be less attractive to farmers because the fulfillment of claims was not timely (the period of disbursement of funds was too long). Farmer education, livestock ownership and the cost of concentrate feed have a significant effect on the income of dairy farmers. Government needs to re-evaluate implementation of livestock insurance so that farmers can continue their business. Limitation of this study is difficulty of separating cost of production facilities for each cow, so that the expenditure for lactating cows is also difficult to calculate correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle/buffalo business insurance (AUTS/K) is a government program to mitigate livestock businesses' risks, especially cattle and buffalo. For the participation and involvement of farmers in this program, it is necessary to have a good dissemination process to be widely known, understood, and followed by the livestock business community throughout Indonesia. This study aimed to design a dissemination strategy for the AUTS/K using the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) approach. This research was expected to produce a conceptual model of the AUTS/K dissemination so that the dissemination of information is comprehensive and evenly distributed to each area so that it can be accepted and applied by farmers. The AUTS/K dissemination strategy is a strategic plan to generate innovation and creativity in disseminating information to farmers by utilizing various media. The results of the study will provide recommendations for AUTS/K dissemination strategies to improve and develop livestock insurance by involving the government, religious and community leaders, insurance companies, extension agents and field officers, universities and research institutions, as well as the use of advertising agencies and technology media in disseminating information to farmers in Aceh Province. In addition, the SSM approach can describe problems well and form a conceptual for the dissemination model of AUTS/K in Aceh Province.

Abstract Livestock insurance consists of livestock owners pooling resources together in order to hedge against the risk of attacks by predators on their individual herds. We use an economic model to study optimal livestock insurance and to discuss its viability in improving outcomes for livestock owners. The benefit from insurance depends on the livestock owners' level of risk aversion. We calibrate the model using data from Project Snow Leopard and investigate the potential of livestock insurance for achieving conservation goals. The model predicts that leopard killings would decline under the proposed livestock insurance contract. The level of the decline depends on the degree of risk aversion. Our analysis calls for surveys that measure risk aversion of local livestock owners to be conducted in any situation where insurance is considered as a policy towards achieving conservation goals. Finally, we discuss how the proposed livestock insurance scheme could be implemented in practice.

Livestock insurance consists of livestock owners pooling resources together in order to hedge against the risk of attacks by predators on their individual herds. We use an economic model to study optimal livestock insurance and to discuss its viability in improving outcomes for livestock owners. The benefit from insurance depends on the livestock owners' level of risk aversion. We calibrate the model using data from Project Snow Leopard and investigate the potential of livestock insurance for achieving conservation goals. The model predicts that leopard killings would decline under the proposed livestock insurance contract. The level of the decline depends on the degree of risk aversion. Our analysis calls for surveys that measure risk aversion of local livestock owners to be conducted in any situation where insurance is considered as a policy towards achieving conservation goals. Finally, we discuss how the proposed livestock insurance scheme could be implemented in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide the first evidence about insurance preferences among herders in pastoral regions in China. We estimate herders' preferences for alternative insurance configurations based on a hypothetical and a consequential choice experiment, aiming to minimise hypothetical bias. Our results show that herders prefer the insurance plan in general with demand for livestock insurance increasing when insurance premiums decrease or payouts increase. The hypothetical bias only influences the willingness‐to‐pay estimates through the cost attribute, while the marginal rates of substitution of non‐cost attributes remain largely unchanged. The hypothetical treatment nearly doubles the magnitudes of willingness‐to‐pay estimates for some insurance attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the process of insurance of the agro-industrial complex from a scientific and practical point of view, based on statistical sources. In addition, an analytical approach has been developed based on the indicators of insurance of agricultural sectors in the agro-industrial complex, in particular, crops and livestock, and proposals and recommendations for the development of insurance have been developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moral hazard is believed to influence farmers' production decisions and undermine the effectiveness of insurance programmes. In this study, a 2-year field experiment is conducted among hog farms in four townships in China to investigate the effects of a government-subsidised insurance programme on farmers' decisions and production outcomes. A joint estimation procedure combining propensity score matching with difference-in-difference is deployed to control for selection bias caused by observable and unobservable heterogeneity between treatment and control groups. We find robust evidence that this insurance programme has led to increased hog mortality rates, suggesting the possible presence of hazardous actions. Meanwhile, hog stock levels have remained unaffected by insurance participation, contradicting findings in previous studies. Furthermore, insurance participation is found to increase farmers' willingness to report animal diseases to governments, thereby facilitating government efforts to prevent and monitor outbreaks of animal disease epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite donor enthusiasm for index-based microinsurance, globally, pilots have struggled to realise its promises. This paper considers the Kenyan Index-Based Livestock Insurance pilot, investigating the competing expectations held by actors including (re)insurers, researchers, donors, NGOs, and pastoralists. We explore expectations' impacts on partner involvement, project outcomes, sales, and the future outlook for Kenyan livestock insurance. Quantitative analysis suggests early demand and subsequent backlash were not results of systematic mis-selling, but rather stemmed from clients' unfulfilled expectations of patron-like relationships with insurance partners. We caution against exaggerated expectations of profitability and call for reflection and transparency amidst the embrace of insurance tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk management in agricultural production is currently one of the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy. In order to secure the income of agricultural producers certain forms of support at both the EU and the national levels have been established, including making subsidized crop and livestock insurance contracts. The paper aims at determining the condition of the mentioned insurance contracts in Poland and answering the question to what extent a certain insurance system implemented by the national legislator serves its purpose as a risk management instrument. The conclusion is that as for compulsory contracts, since their scope is limited compared to the EU regulations, they are still not an effective measure, which partly results from the application of ad hoc support by the State. The legislative solutions in that regard should, hopefully, bring some positive developments.

The livestock insurance is a part of agricultural insurance. This type of insurance is also part of a non-life insurance. The livestock insurance is undeveloped in Serbia. In general, a very small number of farms (5% of total) decided for the conclusion of livestock insurance contracts. This paper analyzes the basic characteristics of this type of insurance, and the authors pay attention to the implementation of this type of insurance in other countries. Special attention is paid to the livestock insurance in Mongolia, India, Mexico and Ireland who are defined livestock insurance programs that have contributed to a greater number of contracts concluded in this field. Also, the authors speaking about livestock insurance in some European countries. Finally, the authors criticize the way in which is regulated livestock insurance in Serbia, by proposing a series of measures that should be implemented by the insurance companies and state.

In Pakistan insurance markets regarding livestock insurance are not working efficiently as compare to other countries. Major concern is lack of awareness in livestock farmers (LFs) which been not adopted correctly in Pakistan from last 30 years. Through livestock's farming; many risks that can reduce the productivity of LFs; like diseases, natural disasters, theft risks, climatic conditions and peril hazards. The main ambition of this study was to study the socio-economic characteristics of LFs as well as to check their level of willingness to pay (WTP) for livestock insurance in district Faisalabad. To achieve the objectives of this study, primary data were collected from livestock farmers through a well-designed questionnaire. Data were collected from 300 livestock farmers (insured & non-insured equally) through convenient sampling from districts (7) Faisalabad in the months of January to March 2018. Contingent valuation method was employed for WTP and dichotomous (YES/NO) and premium level was used to assess the WTP. Mostly insured farmers were approached through insured companies and banks. Three insurance companies were working in Faisalabad right now; namely, Jubilee General Insurance Company Limited, Adamjee Insurance Company Limited and United Insurance Company Limited. For descriptive analysis and econometrics analysis, MS-Excel and SPSS software were used respectively. Majority of the livestock farmers had cows and buffalos. Binary logistic regression model was used for the estimation of WTP of the LFs. The results of the study showed; majority of the LFs were matured in the age and having low level of education and were satisfied regarding income level. The results indicated that; age, education and land holding were significant determinants of WTP. On the basis of results; valuable policies were suggested. Awareness regarding livestock insurance by livestock management authorities and government through electronic media and other sources are much important for the livestock farmers to increase their productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Information asymmetry exists in virtually every insurance setting. The institutional arrangement of hog insurance in China offers a unique opportunity to investigate the farmer's behavior of under‐reporting the actual number of finished hogs on one hand, and the insurer's efficiency in determining the actual numbers on the other. Using data on 444 hog operators synchronized from farm production survey and insurance records, results showed that farmers report on average 11.5% fewer hogs to the insurance company. The level of under‐reporting is positively associated with the size of operation. Farmers with longer farming experience and more conservative risk attitude report more accurately. The under‐report behavior is also partially attributed to a farmer's limited capacity of accurate estimation. Due to information barrier, the insurance company is only able to recover 18.6% of the under‐report at the indemnity payment stage. Results are robust after controlling for potential sample selection problems. It is suggested that technical supports, public programs and premium incentive designs in repeated insurance should be considered to promote more accurate reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The livestock sector in Egypt is currently facing different threats including diseases. Investments of many small farmers were lost either due to diseases or emergency slaughtering. Livestock insurance can save farmers' investments in such obscure conditions. The objective of this research was to study the livestock insurance trends among the governorates through the period 1996-2012 to set guidelines for its future development. This research was based on data published by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). Data were statistically analyzed for examining the relationship between quantitative variables, using correlation analysis and regression modeling. To test the effects of year and governorate on the studied variables, One-way ANOVA procedure was fitted. All statistical analyses were carried out by SPSS for windows. Results showed strong positive correlation between number of deaths/emergency slaughtered and the monetary compensation value paid to farmers. About 80.6 % of variations in compensation value were explained by the number of deaths/emergency slaughtered; and that if the number of deaths increased by 10 %, then the compensation value will increase by about 13642 EGP. The number of deaths/emergency slaughtered and the monetary compensation value varies significantly among different years and governorates (P < 0.05). It is concluded that insurance system is underdeveloped in Egypt and that its development can save investments especially with the recent increasing risk of diseases and price volatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This empirical study investigates drivers of farmers’ hypothetical cattle insurance participation, and their intensity of participation, using the Heckman two-step model to control for selection bias. The data pertains to a survey of 356 cattle farmers from selected villages of Northern Ethiopia. Findings indicate that 94 per cent of the cattle owners were interested in procuring cattle insurance, and 77 per cent of them were willing to pay the benchmark annual premium of 4 per cent of the animal’s value. The average number of cattle that each farmer was willing to insure was nearly three. The findings further indicate that income and education levels of the respondents, among other factors, influence the farmers’ attitude towards participation in cattle insurance and the number of cattle to be insured by them. These findings suggest that educating farmers on the benefits of livestock insurance can stimulate this important risk management strategy. Public action may be required to incentivise insurance companies entering the market for the first time and to address the barriers to participation by poor households. Even though our study was restricted to some areas of northern Ethiopia, the findings can have a wider practical application for governmental and non-governmental institutions wishing to establish cattle insurance in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this paper is to disseminate the practice of risk management by the people from their own management system of livestock insurance in Rupaulia and Daunnedevi Village Development Committees aiming to improve their livelihood. The research found that a number of livestock increased significantly by 74% and income of an individual livestock raiser inclined by 112.1%. The income contributed to purchase food for additional 11 months. Besides their income, their access to service also improved in agriculture, finance, private and local government sectors. The paper disseminates the ideas of rural people towards income generation, risk management and enterprise development. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dhole is a little-studied wild canid with decreasing populations throughout its global range. We conducted this study in Bhutan's Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) to establish baseline records of Dhole distribution and habitat use. We used trail transects and recorded animal presence via tracks, scats, direct sightings and camera traps. Ancillary habitat characteristics such as elevation, slope and vegetation cover were recorded to characterise habitat use. We used MaxEnt model to estimate distribution within JDNP. We recorded 609 indicators of Dhole presence over a 60-day survey period. The model estimated almost one-fourth of JDNP as having a high probability of Dhole occurrence, which closely corresponds to the distribution of cool broadleaved forests (CBLF) and areas close to human settlements. The highest number of indicators was obtained from CBLF, between slope ranges of 2 - 38 degree and elevation ranges of 1,468 m - 4,620 m above sea level, indicating a new record upper altitude limit for Dhole distribution across its global range. We highlight JDNP as an important Dhole conservation area in the Eastern Himalayas, and recommend drafting a pragmatic conservation plan that will strive to minimize conflicts with livestock owners and include key components such as farmer education and livestock insurance to cover Dhole kills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance is a price risk management tool available to cattle producers; however, producers have been hesitant to adopt LRP. The objective of the study was to determine the monthly feeder cattle LRP contract coverage level and length maximizing the probability of the LRP net price being greater than the CME Feeder Cattle Index (CME FCI) price. The CME FCI prices were higher than the LRP net price for the majority of the contract lengths and coverage levels. Several coverage lengths and levels provided similar price protection, and there was no consistent preferred coverage length and level. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Risk management plays a role in avoiding and escaping chronic poverty throughout the world, particularly for women, who are disproportionately negatively affected by shocks. Using three years of household survey data, administrative records and qualitative interviews, this paper examines the relationship between gender and demand for index-based livestock insurance (IBLI) among pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. IBLI appears to be equitably accessed by men and women alike and we find limited evidence of gender-differentiated demand for IBLI. We also find only modest differences associated with age and share of income from livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Summary This paper evaluates the welfare impacts of an index-based livestock insurance designed to compensate for satellite-based predicted livestock mortality in northern Kenya, where previous work has established the presence of poverty traps. We simulate household wealth dynamics based on rich panel and experimental data. The bifurcated livestock dynamics associated with the poverty trap gives rise to insurance valuation that is highly nonlinear in herd size. Estimated willingness to pay among vulnerable groups who most need insurance is, on average, lower than commercially viable rates. Targeted premium subsidization nonetheless appears to offer more cost-effective poverty reduction than need-based direct transfers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given its strong dependence of its economic results on natural factors, agriculture is characterised by high exposure to risk. This paper explores the relationship between the prevailing 'model of agriculture' in a country and methods of risk management (in particular, insurance schemes). The Czech Republic and Poland are post-socialist countries which are characterised by different models of agricultural development. While agriculture in the Czech Republic is oriented to industrial farming with large farms, Polish agriculture has a bipolar structure that includes both small, family-owned farms and large agricultural holdings. Various approaches to agricultural insurance schemes may arise from the contrasting models of agriculture, and substantial differences in both the demand and supply sides of the crop and livestock insurance markets indicate different policy approaches to the role of agriculture in the economies of the two countries. In both the Czech Republic and Poland, policy options for farm risk management should consider the balance between budget flexibility and the criterion of efficiency (from the perspective of insurers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock contribute to the welfare of rural poor households in many ways. Livestock products can be consumed, utilized, or sold for income. If consumed, livestock facilitate improved food security and nutrition. Income from livestock sales can be used for consumption – indirectly contributing to food security and nutrition – or invested. In the absence of developed financial markets, livestock also provide a savings mechanism, potentially enhancing resilience. Livestock ownership can be particularly important for rural women. This review describes the existing evidence regarding the impact of livestock interventions and identifies outstanding gaps in the literature. We primarily draw from the literature on livestock transfer programs, Graduation programs (which often include a livestock transfer), and livestock insurance. • Livestock can provide income, reduce poverty, increase assets, improve nutrition and food security, and may empower women. • We review evidence of the causal impact of livestock transfer programs (including Graduation programs) and insurance. • We also identify outstanding gaps in the current literature and areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with fast changing environment, livestock epidemics and EU accession, risk management is of utmost importance for Croatian farmers. Insurance is risk management strategy which enables risk transfer from farmer to insurance company. It has a positive effect on income stabilization and consequently could lead to higher level of specialization, credit access and competitiveness. Nevertheless, livestock insurance is relatively unimportant on dairy farms. Reasons are twofold. Uncompleted requirements for risk to be insurable, adverse selection and moral hazard problems reflect on untoward premium rates. Demand for insurance, on the other hand, depends on the farm structure, access to other risk management instruments as well as dairy farmer’s management capacities. The objective of the paper is to analyze risk management on dairy farms with focus on livestock insurance. Survey on 20 farmers in the Northwest Croatia has been made. Farmers’ risk perceptions, application and evaluation of risk management strategies were collected. Governmental insurance premium subsidy was also analyzed. Survey data were analysed by descriptive statistics while decision analysis toward livestock insurance with stohastic decision tree. European Union experiences with livestock insurance presented stand in creating suggestions for possible setting out of current constraints of livestock insurance in Croatia.

As in many developing countries, agro-pastoralism is the major form of livelihood for rural communities in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Although livestock rearing is part and parcel of rural Bhutanese agricultural system, Bhutan also has a high percentage of natural forest cover that supports a diversity of endangered wild predators. The loss of cattle to these predators is an on-going source of conflict between predators, farmers, and wildlife managers. Despite awareness of predation losses, there has been no empirical assessment of livestock herding practices in Bhutan in terms of livestock vulnerability to predation. We conducted a questionnaire and a field survey in three districts of western Bhutan to assess current livestock herding practices with regard to predation vulnerability. We interviewed farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire to determine their livestock herding practices and losses. We also traversed human trails in the nearby forests and took note of livestock encountered to gain further insights into herding dynamics. Generally, livestock were more vulnerable to predation when released into the forests without accompanying herders. Seasonally, livestock were more vulnerable during summer and early autumn, which coincided with the peak farming period during which animals are typically released into forests with minimal care. Our study underscores the importance of livestock herding with accompanying herders to minimize predation losses and highlights the challenges posed by farm labour shortage in rural areas. We recommend developing a comprehensive livestock management policy that includes elaborate provisions on reducing livestock losses through livestock herd management, stock improvement, fodder development, pasture development, and sustainable livestock insurance schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of index insurance pilots in developing countries has grown tremendously in recent years, but there has been little progress in our understanding of the quality of those products. Basis risk, or remaining uninsured risk, is a widely recognized but rarely measured feature of index insurance product quality. This article uses eight semi-annual seasons of longitudinal household data to examine the distribution of basis risk associated with an index-based livestock insurance (IBLI) product in northern Kenya. We find that IBLI coverage reduces exposure to covariate risk due to large shocks and mitigates downside risk substantially for many households, even at commercial premium rates. But index insurance is no magic bullet; insured households continue to face considerable basis risk. Examining the components of basis risk, we find that IBLI reduces exposure to covariate risk due to high loss events by an average of 63%. The benefits of reduced covariate risk exposure are relatively small, however, due to high exposure to seemingly mostly random idiosyncratic risk, even in this population often thought to suffer largely from covariate shocks. The result is that IBLI policyholders are left with an average of 69% of their original risk due to high loss events. This research underscores the need for caution when promoting index insurance as a risk mitigation tool, as well as the importance of product quality evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]