Evaluating the Gendered Credit Constraints and Uptake of an Insurance-Linked Credit Product Among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

Using data from a multi-arm experiment among maize and bean smallholder farmers in Kenya, we evaluate the gender differences in credit rationing, and whether an insurance-bundled credit product, known as risk-contingent credit (RCC) could enhance credit access for both men and women. Using 3 years of household survey data, we find that female-headed households are significantly more risk-rationed (or demand-side rationed) than men. Post-intervention, we find that the impacts of RCC on credit uptake decisions are significantly larger than those of conventional credit. We also find that RCC impacts do not vary across the different gender categories.