Northern Province farmers find relief in crop insurance

Farmers in the Northern Province districts of Rulindo and Burera say they have found a solution to the financial losses caused by extreme weather conditions through crop insurance. Many had suffered significant setbacks due to unpredictable climate events, which often destroyed their crops and wiped out their investments.

In the Bahimba wetland, located in Rulindo District, farmers frequently face natural disasters, particularly floods during Season A for maize crops and Season B for potatoes.

According to Hakizimana Thacien, head of the COVMABA Cooperative operating in this area, losses have significantly decreased since they joined the ‘Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi’ insurance programme.

“Previously, we could lose up to 40 tonnes of maize without any means of recovering our investment. We lived in constant fear, knowing that if a disaster struck, we would have no protection. Today, even though we anticipate disasters, we have the assurance that our insurance will compensate us”, he explained.

Initially, the cooperative insured 100 hectares of maize, but this has expanded to 230 hectares out of the total 252 under cultivation. Similarly, potato insurance coverage has increased from 25 to 150 hectares, while bean insurance has grown from 10 to 30 hectares.

During the previous farming season, the insurance scheme paid Rwf 5.7 million to cover losses from maize damage and an additional Rwf 9.1 million for potatoes grown on 120 insured hectares. In the 2022-2023 season, insurers paid over Rwf 8 million for maize losses across 120 hectares, as highlighted by Hakizimana emphasizing that crop insurance has helped farmers reinvest in agriculture instead of continuously struggling with climate-related losses.

 Dusabemariya Françoise, another farmer in the Bahimba wetland, confirmed the benefits: “Before joining the scheme, floods and strong winds destroyed our crops, leaving us with nothing. Now, when we receive compensation to ensure sustainable agriculture”.

Mukeshimana Valentine highlighted how insurance has restored confidence in farming: “If you invest and lose everything with no compensation, it discourages you. But with insurance, we farm with professionalism and commitment. In 2024, when heavy rains flooded the wetland, followed by strong winds that knocked down maize crops, our insurer compensated us. I used the money to buy new seeds and prepare for the 2024B season.”

Theobald Ndacyayisenga, leader of the COVMB Cooperative located in Nemba Sector, Burera District, noted that joining the NAIS programme saved many farmers from despair.

“We are always cautious about climate risks such as storms, droughts, and heavy rainfall. This is why we joined NAIS. Programme. We started by insuring 200 hectares, and when we faced losses, initially, we were compensated Rwf 3.6 million. In 2024, severe weather destroyed crops on 44 ha, and our insurer paid Rwf 18 million to affected farmers. Without NAIS, we would have been left struggling,” he stated.

Call for expanded coverage to include harvested crops

Currently, farmers can only insure their initial investment, not their harvested produce, meaning post-harvest losses are not covered. Hakizimana Thacien believes expanding coverage would provide even greater protection.

“If our stored maize were damaged, we would have no claim to compensation, as insurers only consider losses that occur in the field. During heavy rains, harvested maize can be ruined before reaching the market due to inadequate drying infrastructure. If insurance covered the produce until it was sold, farmers would have complete security,” he said.

Faustin Zirimwabagabo, a farmer from Burera, echoed this sentiment: “If we could insure our produce as well, it would further strengthen our farming activities. Currently, compensation is based only on initial investment, without considering potential profits.”

Joseph Museruka, head of the ‘Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi’ programme at RAB-SPIU, acknowledged the need to explore post-harvest insurance but emphasised that the priority has been strengthening capital coverage.

The NAIS-Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi was launched in 2019. It is implemented by RAB-SPIU in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI).