The Rwandan insurance company “Radiant” has compensated, on June 29, 2021, for a total of 27,828,003 Frw, 9,910 rice farmers of Gisagara district grouped in six cooperatives. These farmers had lost 847.58 hectares of rice fields due to crop diseases that occurred during the 2021-B season.
This is part of the Rwandan government’s program through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, called “Tekana urishingiye muhinzi-mworozi” (Be calm, farmer, you are insured), which encourages Rwandan farmers to take out insurance against adverse climatic changes (floods, drought or diseases) that may affect their agricultural and livestock production. The Rwandan government contributes 40% of the total insurance premium to encourage them.
Clémentine Nyirafashaho is the president of the COPRORIZ cooperative in the Tare sector. She has just received more than 2,000,000 Frw in compensation from the insurance company “Radiant” for having lost more than 15 hectares of rice due to diseases. She finally expresses her joy to be able to restart her agricultural activity soon.
“We had paid the premium of 1,650,000 Frw. An unusual disease attacked our fields destroying more than 15 hectares. Now we are motivated. This gives us another starting point for the next season.”
This opinion is shared by Ignace Musonera, a member of the COPRORIZ cooperative in Ngiryi sector who received 4,119,115 Frw in compensation after losing more than 23 hectares of rice to the same crop disease.
As for Mrs. Laetitia Mahoro, in charge of the “Agricultural Insurance” branch within the insurance company “Radiant”, this kind of insurance contributes effectively to the development of the agricultural sector. “It is an act of encouragement to farmers and a lever for the country’s economic development. This, in turn, will promote the growth of our clientele.” Ms. Mahoro said.
The vice-mayor in charge of economic affairs in Gisagara district, Jean Paul Habineza, calls on other farmers in the district to join their colleagues in COPRORIZ. “This is a good program that allows farmers to be secure especially since the government covers 40% of the total insurance premium. I call on all farmers to adopt this program which is very beneficial.” Concludes Vice-Mayor Habineza.
In Rwanda, the agricultural insurance program was launched in April 2019. It aims to protect Rwandan agri-farmers against risks and damages caused by natural disasters or crop diseases that affect agricultural or livestock production. It also provides access to banking services.
According to the Ministry in charge of emergency management, more than 9,412 hectares of crop fields are destroyed every year and more than 797 cows die during the same period due to natural disasters or poorly controlled diseases. Currently, 10,900 hectares of rice, maize and potato fields are insured nationwide. More than 41,000 head of cows are also covered by this insurance, which covers all 30 districts in the country.
Domice Gasarabwe
