Papers by Edson Hlatshwayo
African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research, 2025
This study explored the potential of parametric insurance solutions to enhance resilience among s... more This study explored the potential of parametric insurance solutions to enhance resilience among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, particularly in the context of climate change-related risks, such as droughts and floods. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of parametric insurance as a risk management strategy for smallholder farmers, focusing on its potential to provide timely payouts based on predefined climate triggers. The purpose of the research was to understand how parametric insurance could offer a viable alternative to traditional insurance, which is often inaccessible for smallholders due to cost, complexity, and other barriers. The literature review highlighted the challenges that smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe face in accessing conventional agricultural insurance products, such as affordability, lack of awareness, and inadequate infrastructure. It also examined the advantages of parametric insurance, including its ability to deliver faster payouts linked to measurable climatic events, thus providing a more accessible and reliable safety net. A mixed-methods research approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design and focused on a sample of 150 smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, selected through purposive and random sampling methods. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with farmers, insurance providers, and agricultural experts. Ethical considerations included ensuring informed consent, voluntary participation, and the confidentiality of respondents. The main findings revealed that while parametric insurance held significant potential for improving resilience, several challenges hindered its adoption, including limited awareness, trust issues, and affordability concerns. The study concluded that for parametric insurance to be effective, policy interventions, increased awareness campaigns, and partnerships among key stakeholders were necessary. Recommendations included strengthening institutional frameworks and providing targeted education on parametric insurance to improve uptake.
International journal of research and innovation in applied science, 2024
Climate change poses significant risks to vulnerable communities, particularly in developing coun... more Climate change poses significant risks to vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries like Zimbabwe. Adapting to these changes necessitates substantial financial resources, often exceeding the capabilities of public funding alone. This paper investigates the potential for scaling up private sector financing for climate change adaptation through microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Zimbabwe, employing a mixedmethods approach that integrates quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from key stakeholders. The quantitative component analyzes financial data from various MFIs to assess their current capacity and performance in funding climate adaptation projects. The qualitative aspect involves interviews and focus group discussions with MFI managers, clients, and regulatory bodies to understand the challenges and opportunities within the sector. This dual approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of private financing for climate adaptation. Findings reveal that while MFIs face significant barriers such as limited financial literacy among clients, inadequate regulatory support, and high operational costs, there are also notable opportunities. These include the development of innovative financial products tailored to climate adaptation, leveraging technology to reduce costs and improve outreach, and fostering stronger public-private partnerships. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the role of MFIs in climate adaptation financing. These recommendations include improving regulatory frameworks to support MFI operations, increasing investment in capacity building for both MFIs and their clients, and encouraging collaborative efforts between public and private sectors. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable development finance by demonstrating the pivotal role of microfinance in enhancing community resilience to climate change.
International Journal of Rsearch and Innovation In Applied Science, 2024
Climate change poses significant risks to vulnerable communities, particularly in developing coun... more Climate change poses significant risks to vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries like Zimbabwe. Adapting to these changes necessitates substantial financial resources, often exceeding the capabilities of public funding alone. This paper investigates the potential for scaling up private sector financing for climate change adaptation through microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Zimbabwe, employing a mixedmethods approach that integrates quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from key stakeholders. The quantitative component analyzes financial data from various MFIs to assess their current capacity and performance in funding climate adaptation projects. The qualitative aspect involves interviews and focus group discussions with MFI managers, clients, and regulatory bodies to understand the challenges and opportunities within the sector. This dual approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of private financing for climate adaptation. Findings reveal that while MFIs face significant barriers such as limited financial literacy among clients, inadequate regulatory support, and high operational costs, there are also notable opportunities. These include the development of innovative financial products tailored to climate adaptation, leveraging technology to reduce costs and improve outreach, and fostering stronger public-private partnerships. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the role of MFIs in climate adaptation financing. These recommendations include improving regulatory frameworks to support MFI operations, increasing investment in capacity building for both MFIs and their clients, and encouraging collaborative efforts between public and private sectors. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable development finance by demonstrating the pivotal role of microfinance in enhancing community resilience to climate change.
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Papers by Edson Hlatshwayo