Smallholder Maize Farmer’s Willingness to Join Index Insurance in Vhembe District: Limpopo Province

Authors

  • H. Mukwevho
  • U. Luvhengo
  • S.S. Letsoalo
  • J.N. Lekunze

Keywords:

Index-Insurance, smallholder farmers, willingness to join, Vhembe district

Abstract

Only a negligible proportion of smallholder farmers in South Africa have crop insurance to mitigate production risks. This article analyses the demand for index-based crop insurance by smallholder farmers in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province in South Africa based on their willingness to join a proposed insurance product. Questionnaires were used to collect once-off data from smallholder farmers. The contingent valuation method was used to analyse the willingness to buy a crop insurance product. Analysis revealed that 86% of the farmers were willing to purchase index-based crop insurance. Further analysis using the Probit regression model found that age, farm size, and risk management strategies such as government assistance and crop diversification influenced smallholder farmers` willingness to join the proposed crop insurance products. This study has shown that smallholder crop farmers` willingness to join crop insurance is high in the Vhembe district. The study recommends awareness and education concerning crop insurance purchases for smallholder farmers.

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Published

2023-11-01

How to Cite

Mukwevho, H., Luvhengo, U., Letsoalo, S., & Lekunze, J. (2023). Smallholder Maize Farmer’s Willingness to Join Index Insurance in Vhembe District: Limpopo Province. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE), 51(3), 100–114. Retrieved from https://sajae.co.za/article/view/14539