Index-based livestock insurance for Kenyan pastoralists: an innovation systems perspective

Abstract

Pastoralists in northern Kenya live with a high level of risk, including climatic shocks, disease, and insecurity. This article considers the potential role of index-based livestock insurance (IBLI) as a mechanism which pastoralists can use to manage climate-related risk. How might it complement or compete with existing risk-management practices? Is the current institutional and policy environment favourable to developing this type of product? This study uses an innovation systems perspective to explore and answer some of these questions, and to consider the strategic role of research and development actors in the development process.

Assurance bétail indexée pour les pasteurs kényans: point de vue basé sur les systèmes d'innovation

Les pasteurs du nord du Kenya vivent dans un contexte de risque élevé, du fait, entre autres, des chocs climatiques, des maladies et de l'insécurité. Cet article traite du rôle potentiel de l'assurance bétail indexée (IBLI – index-based livestock insurance) comme mécanisme que les pasteurs peuvent utiliser pour gérer les risques climatiques. Dans quelle mesure pourrait-il compléter les pratiques existantes de gestion des risques ou entrer en concurrence avec elles ? L'environnement institutionnel et de politique générale actuel est-il favorable au développement de ce type de produit ? Cette étude a recours à un point de vue basé sur les systèmes d'innovation pour examiner et répondre à certaines de ces questions et pour réfléchir au rôle stratégique des acteurs des milieux de la recherche et du développement dans le processus de développement.

Seguro de gado baseado em índice para pastores quenianos: uma perspectiva dos sistemas de inovação

Pastores do norte do Quênia enfrentam um alto nível de risco, inclusive choques climáticos, doenças e insegurança. Este artigo examina o papel em potencial do seguro de gado baseado em índice (IBLI) como mecanismo que os pastores podem utilizar para gerenciar os riscos relacionados ao clima. Como ele deve complementar ou competir com práticas existentes de gestão de risco? O ambiente institucional e de políticas atual é favorável para se desenvolver este tipo de produto? Este estudo utiliza uma perspectiva de sistemas de inovação para explorar e responder algumas destas questões e para avaliar o papel estratégico da pesquisa e dos agentes de desenvolvimento no processo de desenvolvimento.

Seguros ganaderos indizados para nómadas kenianos: una perspectiva de innovación de sistemas

Los nómadas en el norte de Kenia conviven con altos niveles de riesgo que incluyen cambios repentinos del clima, enfermedades e inseguridad. Este ensayo analiza el posible papel de un seguro ganadero indizado (IBLI por sus siglas en inglés), que los nómadas podrían aprovechar para mitigar los riesgos climáticos. ¿Cómo podría complementar o competir con los seguros actuales de manejo de riesgos? ¿Es propicio el actual ambiente institucional y político para impulsar este tipo de producto? Este ensayo utiliza la perspectiva de innovación de sistemas para analizar y responder a varias preguntas de este tipo y para considerar el papel estratégico de los actores de investigación y desarrollo en el proceso de desarrollo.

Keywords:

• Environment
• Labour and livelihoods

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to all those who met with us and shared their knowledge and experience during this study. Thanks also to our colleagues at ILRI for their helpful comments and suggestions for improving this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Harriet Matsaert

Harriet Matsaert has a background in Social Anthropology and natural-resource management. She has worked with agricultural research and extension teams in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya, where she has been working with the International Livestock Research Institute on developing innovation systems analysis tools. <[email protected]>

Juliet Kariuki

Juliet Kariuki is a research assistant with the Poverty, Gender and Impact Group in the International Livestock Research Institute. She worked with the index-based livestock insurance team and was closely involved in the innovations system study described in this paper. <[email protected]>

Andrew Mude

Andrew Mude is a scientist working with the Poverty, Gender and Impact Group in the International Livestock Research Institute. He leads the team working on the index-based livestock insurance project. <[email protected]>