Work

Delayed Sowing in Response to Early‐Maturing Maize Bundled With Germination Index Insurance

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Using a unique panel of geolocated and time‐stamped data, we study how Kenyan farmers adjust sowing timing in response to a novel de‐risking bundle of early‐maturing drought‐tolerant maize seed and germination rainfall insurance. We find that repeat users of this bundle tend to plant later and in a tighter timeframe, a behavioral pattern consistent with learning about and trusting the early maturation trait of the seed. On average, these on‐farm adjustments result in more rainfall received during the ensuing maize germination stage and, consequently, decreased total insurance payouts. This behavioral adjustment to new protection against drought risk thus appears to be a “positive moral hazard” response that increases overall welfare.

Source: Agricultural Economics

DOI: 10.1111/agec.70067

Authors: Francesco Cecchi, Travis J. Lybbert, Samuel Vosper

Institutions: Wageningen University & Research, University of California, Davis, University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Agricultural risk and resilience

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: green

Funder: Wageningen University and Research