CLIMATE CHANGE AND CROP YIELD DISTRIBUTION: SOME NEW EVIDENCE FROM PANEL DATA MODELS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CROP INSURANCE

This study examines the impact of climate on yield for seven major crops in Taiwan based on a pooled panel data of 15 counties over the period 1977-1996. Unit-root tests and maximum likelihood methods are explored to obtain reliable estimates. Results suggest that climate has diversified impacts on crop yields and their variability. A simple crop insurance model by Ahsan, Ali, and Kurian (1982) is shown how crop yield distribution can be the base to calculate the premium and indemnity.