Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI)–Lessons in extension and outreach: A case of Wajir County

Abstract

Institute (ILRI), with many partners, has pursued a substantial research for development program to design, develop and implement market-mediated, index-based insurance products that protect livestock keepers in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) from drought-related asset losses. From the first pilot in 2010, adoption of Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) has taken place in Isiolo, Marsabit and Wajir in northern Kenya and in Borena zone in Ethiopia (Mude et al. 2010). IBLI has further expanded its operations to Mandera and Garissa in northern Kenya. As the pilot begins to scale up and out with increasing momentum, understanding market functions and extension delivery mechanisms is a necessary step to offering IBLI to more pastoralists in remote, infrastructure-limited areas in a cost-effective, timely and sustainable manner.