Sample Frame 1
In order to have a rich set of background data on individuals and a representative sample frame, the intial sample frame was the Ghana Living Standards Survey Plus (GLSS5+) survey, which was conducted by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana - Legon in collaboration with theGhana Statistical Service . The GLSS5+ was a clustered random sample, with households randomly chosen based on a census of selected enumeration areas in the 23 MiDA districts . From the GLSS5+ sample frame, we first selected communities in northern Ghana in which maize farming was dominant, and then within each village selected the households with some maize farming, but no more than 1.5 hectares of land. Within each household, we identified the male head of household to include in the initial sample frame for this study.
The GLSS5+ was a clustered sample. With households randomly chosen based on a census of selected enumeration areas in the 23Millenium Development (MiDA) districts. MiDA is the Ghanaian government entity created to lead the programs under the compact between the US Government Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Ghanaian government. Although the sample frame for this study was generated from the GLSS5+, the interventions described here were independent of MiDA and MCC. We are not authorized to distribute the GLSS5+ data.
From the GLSS5+ sample, we selected communities in Northern Ghana in which maize farming was dominant. To do so, we counted the number of maze farmers as a fraction of the total number of farmers in the community. If that fraction exceeded 50 percent, we included the community in our sample. Then, within each community, we selected a random sample of households with some maize farming but no more than 15 acres of land. Within each household, we identified the key decision maker for farming decisions on the main household plot, which was typically the male head of household (except in the case of widows). Our sample frame is over 95% male as a result. This yielded a sample of 502 households. This is Sample Frame 1.
Sample Frame 2
Sample Frame 2 is an expansion of the sample in communities already part of Sample Frame 1. We first conducted a census in order to select additional households for the sample. Using our census, we applied the same filter as in the Grant Experiment (maize farmers with fewer than 15 acres). This yielded additional 676 additional households.
Sample Frame 3
We expanded to new communities and used this sample frame to test actuarially fair and market-based prices for the same insurance product. a. First, we randomly selected 12 new communities from maps of the areas that delineated communities within 30 kilometers of one of the rain gauges. b. We then completed a census in each community and filtered the sample using the same criteria as the grant experiment (maize farmers fewer than 15 acres). We drew 228 households (19 per community) into the sample.
Year 2 survey
A follow-up survey for year 2 was designed and distributed, targeting 1406 households from all 3 samples. The response rate was 89%. The survey instrument is mostly identical to that of the year 1 survey, with minor changes designed to improve farmer recall and to ensure the coverage of minor plots. To improve data quality, the survey instrument was programmed to ask for confirmation of and updates to the previous year's data through preloading data about household members, plots, employment, assets, livestock, and loans. The survey also 10 asked for new data on areas, including harvests, crop storage and sales, chemical use, seed sources, ploughing, livestock, income, expenditures, assets, loans, agricultural processing, education, health, household enterprise and formal employment.
Yale Economic Growth CenterThe Economic Growth Center's objective is studying and promoting understanding of the economic development process within low-income countries. 
Innovation for Poverty ActionIPA uses rigorous research approach to test and implement poverty reduction measures 
University of Ghana- LegonThe University of Ghana Legon is the oldest and largest of the thirteen Ghanaian universities and tertiary institutions |