MRR Innovation Lab researchers are testing a “behaviorally smart” intervention with index-based livestock insurance in Ethiopia to maximize the welfare of all households by measuring their preferences and beliefs and providing tailored advice on the decision to purchase insurance.
This project will develop improved index insurance policies for small-scale farmers to create stronger demand and impact for index insurance in Ghana, with a particular focus on improving the accuracy of how well products predict actual crop losses.
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will investigate the impacts of the Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) Graduation Program and Index-based Livestock Insurance (IBLI)—alone and in combination—at the level of individual household outcomes as well as in terms of local poverty measures.
This project examines a range of drought-related indices based on data sources and parameters used by HSNP and IBLI. This will help determine which index is most appropriate for an index insurance product that aims to protect households from drought related shocks.
This project evaluates new agricultural technologies that stabilize crop yields and rural incomes in the face of environmental shocks that historically have led to decreased food intake and irreversible, long-term negative impacts especially among young children.
This three-year program of research, outreach, and education is designed to promote the adoption of improved production practices among Ghanaian smallholders by coupling index insurance with production loans.
The Disseminating Innovative Resources and Technologies to Smallholders (DIRTS) project seeks to understand the barriers that stand between these farmers and more profitable investments.