Governor Mugabowagahunde Urges Citizens to Take Advantage of Government Agricultural Insurance Subsidy

The Governor of the Northern Province, Maurice Mugabowagahunde, has encouraged farmers and livestock keepers to embrace crop and livestock insurance, particularly by making the most of the government’s subsidy scheme designed to support them in times of loss.

The National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) was launched in 2019 under the slogan “Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi”. It is implemented by RAB-SPIU in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI).

By partnering with private insurance companies in Rwanda, NAIS is developing financially sustainable insurance products supported by a 40% government subsidy from MINAGRI, aimed at managing risks and mitigating losses in agriculture and livestock.The crops covered by the insurance include rice, maize, potatoes, pepper, beans, soya, French beans, and cassava. Livestock covered includes cattle, pigs, poultry, and fish.

Governor Mugabowagahunde noted that, at first, citizens did not fully grasp the benefits of insuring their crops and animals. However, the province has since adopted a thorough awareness campaign, reaching all sectors with the help of agricultural promoters, and holding community meetings to explain the advantages of insurance, especially in light of the available government subsidy.

He stated, “What helps us most is the 40% insurance cost subsidy – that’s a great opportunity for them. Another key factor is giving real-life examples from areas affected by heavy rainfall where wetlands were flooded. When they see fellow farmers being compensated, it motivates them to join the scheme. In many places, lightning strikes frequently kill livestock. When farmers are compensated, it inspires others to join as well.”

He urged farmers to take full advantage of the subsidy provided by the government, as it reduces their burden in case of losses.

“What we ask of our citizens is to seize this opportunity, because if the government is covering 40% of the insurance cost, then in the event of adverse weather or accidents, at least they are protected from significant financial loss,” he said.

In the 2024 Season B, the Northern Province had set a target to insure 58,628 animals but managed to insure 45,663, which included 7,977 cows, 48,470 chickens, and 2,281 pigs – achieving 77.9% of the target. The crop insurance target was 1,188 hectares, but the province insured 1,434 hectares of maize, rice, beans, and potatoes – reaching 128% of the target.

This crop and livestock insurance programme has helped farmers to secure their livelihoods, minimise risks, and access financial support during times of loss.

Clarisse Manishimwe, a poultry farmer in Muhoza Sector, Musanze District, said the government subsidy motivated her to purchase insurance without hesitation.

“Previously, we used to lose chickens and suffer major losses, sometimes discouraging us from continuing. But when the government offered a 40% subsidy, it was a great relief and helped protect us from such losses,” she said.

Claude Kamugundu, a dairy farmer in Musanze District with ten years of experience, currently insures his six milking cows. He expressed satisfaction with the livestock insurance programme, noting that it offers compensation when losses occur.

“I once lost three cows, and the insurance companies compensated me promptly. Before I enrolled in the scheme, I had lost a cow and incurred a loss of nearly 800,000 Rwandan Francs,” he said.

Since the NAIS programme began, 161,445 crop farmers (84,576 men and 76,869 women) and 49,854 livestock keepers (36,930 men and 9,924 women) have enrolled in the “Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi” scheme each year.

To date, a total of 6,448,769,162 Rwandan Francs has been paid out in compensation to insured farmers and livestock keepers — with crop farmers receiving 3,492,644,699 Frw and livestock keepers receiving 2,956,124,463 Frw. The government has so far contributed 5,088,470,624 Frw in subsidies to help farmers afford insurance.