Comparing the Productive Effects of Cash and Food Transfers in a Crisis Setting : Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in Yemen / Benjamin Schwab.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Schwab, Benjamin, author.

Series:

Innocenti working papers ; no.2018/09.

Innocenti Working Papers ; no.2018/09

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Economic and Social Development.

Children and Youth.

Yemen.

Local Subjects:

Economic and Social Development.

Children and Youth.

Yemen.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (64 pages).

Place of Publication:

New York : United Nations, 2018.

System Details:

text file

Summary:

The productive impacts of transfer programmes have received increased attention. However, little is known about such effects in emergency and crisis settings. Even less is known about whether transfer type - a food basket or a cash grant - influences the productive potential of such transfers. Theory suggests that, while cash transfers can relieve liquidity constraints associated with investments, subsidized food provision, by acting as a form of insurance, may prevent households from retreating to conservative income-generating strategies during volatile periods. Using a randomized field experiment in Yemen, we contrast the effects of transfer modality. The results demonstrate a modest productive impact of both modalities and suggest a role for both liquidity and price risk channels. Cash transfer recipients invested relatively more in activities with higher liquidity requirements (livestock), while food recipients incorporated higher-return crops into their agricultural portfolios.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed May 1, 2017).

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.