The cabinet meeting approved the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) last year in November. The program is supposed, to begin with, 68,000 cows from ten selected districts; Nyanza, Gicumbi, Musanze, Rwamagana, Gatsibo, Ruhango, Nyagatare, and Burera.
It was also supposed to provide agriculture insurance to farmers in 10 districts including Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Bugesera, Gisagara, Kirehe, Gicumbi, Huye, Rulindo, Ngoma and Rwamagana.
Under the livestock insurance scheme, a farmer having a cow valued at Rwf 400,000 provides Rwf 18,000 insurance fees while the Government caters for 40% of farmers payments. The livestock value is determined by the farmer.
Lambert Niyonshuti, a specialist in agriculture and livestock insurance at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) has said that the program has already started and mobilization is underway to attract farmers.
He explained that over 200 Burera residents have subscribed for the insurance.
“We mobilized and we plan to organize various meetings with citizens in collaboration with sector veterinarians to engage with interested farmers,” he said.
Farmers hailed the program and observed that it should be extended to all Rwandans as Alphonse Ahimana from Coko sector of Gakenke district explained. “We commend the insurance for its aspect or reducing risks but it has not yet reached us,” he said.
A farmer will be required to make daily records of the livestock welfare or agricultural projects.
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