Act Of God Or Ignorance: Perception Of Rural Farmers On The Effect Of Climate Change And Flood Insurance
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Date
2023-04-22
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SEAHI PUBLICATIONS
Abstract
In recent times, there have been increased reports of violent weather occurrences occasioned by climate
change, such as flooding and hurricanes, among others. Global efforts have been geared towards
avoiding, where possible, or mitigating, where unavoidable, the impacts of these extreme climatic
conditions. However, studies have found that many people have refused to key into the global proactive
efforts aimed at addressing these climate change challenges due to their beliefs that these events are acts
of gods (Aofg) rather than natural hazards. Thus, this study using primary data sourced from farmers in
the three senatorial districts of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, examines the perceptions of farmers on flood
hazards and their reception of flood insurance as a tool to mitigate the impact of floods on their
livelihood. Furthermore, the perspectives of the insurance providers are sourced to complement the
discourse from the farmers. The study reveals that 73.9% of the farmers view floods as a risk worth
insuring. On the direction of the impact of their belief, the study using the Structural Equation Model
(SEM) confirms that the farmers’ perception of the flood as a natural hazard has a significant effect on
recovery strategy, readiness to sell insurance, and willingness to adopt insurance. Conversely, the Act of
gods (Aofg) as the cause of the flood has a weak relationship with adopting a recovery strategy, and the
readiness of insurance brokers to sell insurance to rural farmers. However, (Aofg) as the cause of flood
has a strong relationship with willingness to adopt insurance. Recommendations to the key stakeholders,
notably, government, insurance companies, community leaders cum farmers’ associations are documented
in the study.
Description
In recent years, the frequency and intensity of violent weather events such as flooding and hurricanes have increased, largely attributed to climate change. Global efforts have been directed at mitigating or adapting to these impacts. However, resistance to these interventions persists in some communities where such disasters are perceived as acts of gods (Aofg) rather than natural hazards.
This study investigates farmers’ perceptions of flood hazards and their acceptance of flood insurance as a risk management tool in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Using primary data collected across the state’s three senatorial districts, the research also incorporates the perspectives of insurance providers to broaden the analysis. Findings show that 73.9% of farmers consider floods a risk worth insuring against. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) further demonstrates that farmers’ recognition of floods as natural hazards significantly influences their recovery strategies, their openness to purchasing insurance, and insurance providers’ readiness to sell. In contrast, perceiving floods as Aofg shows only weak links with recovery strategies and insurers’ willingness to extend services, but it strongly correlates with farmers’ willingness to adopt insurance.
The study concludes with practical recommendations for key stakeholders, including government, insurance companies, community leaders, and farmers’ associations, to improve risk perception, expand insurance uptake, and strengthen resilience against flood hazards.
Keywords
flooding and hurricanes, flood insurance, farmers, flood recovery strategies