Bayesian Herders: Updating of Rainfall Beliefs in Response to External Forecasts

Travis J. Lybbert, Christopher B. Barrett, John G. McPeak, Winnie K. Luseno

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

Temporal climate risk weighs heavily on many of the world's poor. Model-based climate forecasts could benefit such populations, provided recipients use forecast information to update climate expectations. We test whether pastoralists in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya update their expectations in response to forecast information. The minority of herders who received these climate forecasts updated their expectations for below normal rainfall, but not for above normal rainfall. This revealed preoccupation with downside risk highlights the potential value of better climate forecasts in averting drought-related losses, but realizing any welfare gains requires that recipients strategically react to these updated expectations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)480-497
Number of pages18
JournalWorld Development
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2007

Keywords

  • Africa
  • Ethiopia
  • Kenya
  • early warning systems
  • information
  • risk

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Development
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Economics and Econometrics

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