Rainfall indices for a weather index-based crop insurance for rice

Issue Date

4-2018

Abstract

This paper analyzed the applicability of two sets of rainfall indices for a weather index-based crop insurance (WIBCI) for rice against low rainfall cover in Dumangas, Iloilo, [Philippines] WS2013. WIBCI is a new type of risk-transfer-mschanism (RTM) being tested in the Philippine that operates on the principle of having pre-agreed indices set per weather variable between the insurer and insured. Claims happen when these indices are considered 'breached' or are not met in the case of low rainfall cover for a particular period. Operation-wise, the WIBCI product is revolutionary and could be a potentially quick-responsive climate change adaption measure. However, new as it is, questions on the applicability of the product, particularly the indices, have to be evaluated and scrutinized. Validation points used in this study were breach assessments via the WIBCI product's procedure and its consistency with actual drought incident reports. Average yields of the community relative to WIBCI farmers' individual yields were also used to validate consistency of breaches or no breaches among enrollees. Results of yield analysis relative to each community's average yield showed 95.7% of enrollees have low yields. When matched with the breaches assessed using the existing indices, only 52 enrollees breached the indices. Overall validity of the existing index via consistency of breached indices with low yields was only 70% but the 30% mismatch was still significant from an insurance business standpoint hence, a postulated set of indices specific to the location were developed for comparison. With the postulated indices, only 20 enrollees breached the indices which were much lower in number and more acceptable considering the absence of PAGASA's [Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration] official drought incident reports. However, consistency analysis revealed that a much higher basis risk was incurred when using the postulated index which was mostly due to the mismatch of 'no breaches' and low actual grain yields.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463X

Volume

43

Issue

1

Page

9-18

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

illustration; charts; graphs; maps; tables

Language

English

Subject

Rice; Crop insurance; Climate change

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ORYZA SATIVA; RICE; CLIMATIC CHANGE; DROUGHT; CROP YIELD; CROP INSURANCE; RAIN GAUGES; RAIN; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT; SOIL WATER DEFICIT; WEATHER REPORTS

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