Preferences and willingness of farmers to participate and pay for crop insurance: Evidence form a choice experiment

This study investigates the preferences and determinants of crop farmers' willingness to participate in flood insurance programs in Anambra State, Nigeria. Through a choice experiment, the study examines farmers' preferences for traditional inspection versus weather-based index inspection and identifies factors influencing their insurance decisions. Results reveal that while all surveyed farmers unanimously endorse participation in flood insurance programs, a slight majority express a preference for weather-based index inspection over traditional inspection. Factors such as monthly income, cooperative membership, access to credit, geographical proximity to traditional insurance offices, and receipt of climate change information significantly influence farmers' choice of insurance type. These findings underscore the importance of adapting insurance policies and interventions to meet the evolving needs and preferences of farmers. Policymakers and stakeholders are encouraged to enhance the accessibility and affordability of weather-based index insurance, leverage existing cooperative networks and financial institutions, and tailor interventions to address location-specific challenges. By addressing barriers such as affordability, accessibility, and awareness, policymakers and stakeholders can promote broader participation in flood insurance programs, thereby enhancing the resilience of agricultural communities to climate risks.本研究以尼日利亚阿南布拉州（Anambra State）的种植业农户为研究对象，探讨其参与洪水保险计划的意愿偏好及其影响因素。本研究通过选择实验（choice experiment），分析农户对传统验险与气象指数验险（weather-based index inspection）的偏好，并识别影响其保险决策的各类因素。研究结果显示，尽管所有受访农户均一致支持参与洪水保险计划，但略多数的农户更偏好气象指数保险（weather-based index insurance）而非传统验险。月收入、合作社成员身份、信贷获取渠道、距传统保险经办机构的地理距离以及气候变化信息接收情况等因素，均对农户的保险类型选择产生显著影响。上述研究结果凸显了调整保险政策与干预措施以适配农户不断变化的需求与偏好的重要性。研究建议政策制定者与相关利益主体，应提升气象指数保险的可及性与可负担性，依托现有合作社网络与金融机构，并定制针对性干预方案以应对地域特异性挑战。通过破解可负担性、可及性与认知水平等方面的障碍，政策制定者与利益相关方可推动洪水保险计划的更广范围参与，进而提升农业社区应对气候风险的韧性。