What Drives Choice of Coping Strategies Against Ex-Post Weather and Climate Shocks Among Smallholder Fish Farmers in Malawi?

Abstract

The research was funded by the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (ACE II) project.

Abstract

The study was conducted in Dowa and Mchinji districts of central Malawi to understand how fish farmers make choice of village savings and loans, income generating activities and insurance to deal with weather and climate shocks.  A multivariate probit model was used to analyse the drivers of farmers’ choice so that we know if the strategies are complements or substitutes. Data from 353 fish farmers was collected. The study has shown that education level, age of the farmer, farming experience and the hypothetical insurance bid are significant drivers of fish farmers’ choice. We recommend promotion of adult literacy, civic education and enhancement of extension services on the coping strategies as a proxy to formal education which has proved so crucial in the adoption of coping strategies.

Keywords: fish farmers, weather and climate shocks, coping strategies, multivariate probit model

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-4-02