Village and Development

Village and Development

Examining the Satisfaction Level of Date Insurance Policyholder Villagers in Date-Producing Provinces of the Country (Tobit Heckman's Approach)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
N. Hosseinbour 1
A. Dadras Moghadam 2
S,M. Hossieni 3
M. Safdari 3
A. Sardar Shahraki 3
E. Moradi 3
1 PhD Student of Agricultural Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
3 Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
10.30490/rvt.2024.362926.1541
Abstract
Introduction
Meeting the expectations of farmers (insurers) who are key stakeholders in the insurance sector is crucial for the sustainability and growth of villages and the insurance industry. This study explores the factors influencing the satisfaction of date insurance policyholders, considering both economic and non-economic motivations. Regional differences may also play a role in determining satisfaction levels.
Materials and Methods
To analyze the variables affecting the decision to purchase insurance and the willingness to be insured, Heckman's two-stage model was employed. Dates are a significant agricultural product in the Middle East region, particularly in Iran's southern and central provinces. Date insurance plays a vital role in supporting the production and export of this product. This study focuses on assessing the satisfaction levels of date insurance policyholders in six major date-producing provinces of Iran: Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan, Kerman, Fars, Bushehr, and Hormozgan. Data was collected through a researcher-designed questionnaire administered to 105 insurance brokers using random sampling. The analysis utilized Heckman's two-stage Tobit model with Shazam software.
Results and Discussion
The results of the first stage, employing the probit model, indicate the explanatory power and accuracy of the model in predicting willingness to insure date products. The area under cultivation emerged as a significant factor influencing the willingness to be insured. In the second stage, the Heckman model revealed that variables such as cultivated area, agricultural insurance and marketing contracts significantly impacted the satisfaction level of date insurance policyholders. Cultivated area had the most positive effect on willingness to insure date crops, highlighting its importance in insurance decisions. Conversely, variables like education, social networks, and land ownership had a negative impact on satisfaction levels.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that policymakers should focus on enhancing the satisfaction of date farmers by integrating date lands to boost production and export opportunities. This approach can increase farmers' income and contribute to the sustainability and growth of villages and the insurance industry.
Keywords
Satisfaction
Farmers
Insurance
Date Product
Tobit Heckman's Two-Step Method
Subjects
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