This Focus Note shares early insights from CGAP's ongoing Smallholder Diaries, providing a first look at the financial lives of smallholder households not only as agricultural producers, but also as consumers, laborers, and off-farm entrepreneurs.

Based upon the findings of a field experiment conducted in rural Burkina Faso, this working paper suggests that health savings accounts and health loans have the potential to help the poor better manage health shocks and build resilience.

This paper draws upon formative research, “resilience diaries,” qualitative follow-up, and economic games to illustrate how families anticipate and cope with shocks in Burkina Faso. Designing for these household behaviors and preferences could improve financial services offered for building resilience.

The findings presented in this working paper are based upon research conducted in Burkina Faso. They provide unique insights into the set of factors, if reinforced by financial institutions and development practitioners, that are likely to strengthen household resilience.

This case study from Burkina Faso highlights key findings from the CGAP resilience research that can help guide further thinking about how to best design financial products for anticipating and covering health shock expenses.

While there has been renewed appreciation for how reaching smallholder households could drive financial inclusion, little is known about this unique, yet massive client group.