Agricultural production, natural hazards and risks: an analysis of coping mechanisms and the potential of crop insurance

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorAkyoo, Adam Meshack
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-14T07:32:14Z
dc.date.available2026-01-14T07:32:14Z
dc.date.issued2004
dc.descriptionMasters Dissertation
dc.description.abstractThe study examined natural hazard risks, coping mechanisms and potential for crop insurance on bean farmers in Arumeru district, Arusha region. Objectives were to determine natural hazard risk sources and available coping mechanisms, assess riskiness of various natural hazards, potential of crop insurance and determine factors influencing its preference. Data collection was through formal surveys to 116 farmers and 8 insurance companies, supplemented by informal interviews with various experts from the Directorate of Insurance, National Insurance Company, agricultural officers at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dar es salaam and extension officers at Kwa Ugoro, Malula/Kolila and Kikatiti villages. Qualitative analytical techniques included descriptive methods such as cross tabulations, means, percentages, frequencies, standard deviations and risk analysis using a structured questionnaire. Quantitative methods included Gross Margin (GM) analysis, Pearson Chi square (X2), one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Regression analysis. Natural hazards were found to be location specific and their riskiness was significantly different (different levels) across villages. Coping mechanisms were found to be imperfectly effective in managing natural hazard risks signifying a need for a risk transfer device, like crop insurance. Crop insurance was favoured by 76.7 percent of the respondents and ranked second in preference as a risk management method. Pests and diseases were the riskiest followed by drought. Positive margins were recorded to 72.4 percent of the respondents. Ability to meet insurance costs was thus high. Farmers’ preference for crop insurance was confirmed and, unexpectedly, wealth status was the only significant factor that influenced it positively. Insurers were however sceptical about its feasibility. Pilot crop insurance scheme as a precursor to a full-fledged scheme in future and' further market research studies to establish more potential for crop insurance are recommended. Agricultural schools and colleges are urged to include crop insurance in their curricular to stimulate its awareness.
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7216
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSokoine University of Agriculture
dc.subjectNatural hazards
dc.subjectAgricultural production
dc.subjectBean farmers
dc.subjectNational Insurance Company
dc.titleAgricultural production, natural hazards and risks: an analysis of coping mechanisms and the potential of crop insurance
dc.typeThesis

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
AKYOO, Adam Meshack.pdf
Size:
3.25 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Masters Dissertation
Download

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.75 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Theses and Dissertations Collection