Gatsibo Struggles to Increase Farmers and Livestock Keepers’ Participation in Insurance Scheme

Despite growing awareness among farmers and livestock keepers about the importance of agricultural insurance in protecting against losses caused by disasters or animal diseases, Gatsibo District authorities say participation in the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) remains low.

The scheme, launched six years ago by the Government of Rwanda, helps farmers and livestock owners by subsidizing 40 percent of their insurance premiums. However, many still fail to embrace it fully, often due to limited understanding or misconceptions about how it works.

In Gatsibo District, official figures show that both crop and livestock insurance coverage remain significantly below expectations. Out of more than 70,000 cows kept in the district, only 1,492 are insured. Likewise, only 79 pigs and 400 chickens are covered under the scheme, a very small proportion for one of Rwanda’s most populous districts.

While rice farmers in Gatsibo have made notable progress with all 1,200 hectares of rice fields insured, other crops lag behind. Only 167 hectares of maize and 14 hectares of beans are currently insured, indicating a need for greater awareness and participation among farmers. Despite these efforts, officials say the overall participation rate remains low compared to the district’s total farming population.

Richard Gasana, the Mayor of Gatsibo District, acknowledged the slow uptake but said progress is being made across different sectors.

“The numbers are still low, but in each category we have people who are beginning to understand the benefits,” Gasana said. “We are engaging with insurance companies to address the barriers that discourage farmers so that participation can increase.”

Some farmers and livestock keepers who have embraced the scheme say it has been life-changing, helping them recover from climate-related losses and livestock diseases that previously left them in financial distress.

Célestin Rwihimba, a dairy farmer from Gitoki Sector, said many people in the area had been discouraged from modern livestock keeping due to frequent animal deaths caused by disease.

“Cows used to die often or fall sick, discouraging people from dairy farming, especially in this Mutara region where there are many parasites,” he explained. “But since the introduction of the Tekana scheme, things have improved. I have lost three cows so far, and all were fully compensated, two worth Rwf 2 million each, and one worth Rwf 1.5 million.”

Similarly, Samuel Nsanzabahizi, the President of CODIGA Cooperative farming maize and soybeans on 23 hectares in the Nyabicwamba wetland, Gatsibo Sector, said they learned the value of insurance the hard way.

“In Season 2023A, we planted maize on all 23 hectares, but the crops were destroyed by disease,” he said. “We had no insurance then and lost over Rwf 50 million. After that experience, we decided to insure our crops. Even though the next season (2024A) didn’t go well, we were compensated after an assessment was done.”

Since its inception, the scheme has insured around 189,734 farmers and livestock keepers, representing about six percent of all farmers in Rwanda. So far, the government has invested Rwf 5.95 billion in subsidies, while Rwf 8.19 billion has been paid out in compensation, including Rwf 3.57 billion for livestock and Rwf 4.62 billion for crops.

Currently, the scheme covers major crops such as rice, maize, potatoes, beans, chili, soybeans, French beans, and cassava, as well as livestock including cattle, pigs, poultry, and fish.

Authorities in Gatsibo believe that with continued awareness campaigns and stronger collaboration with insurers, more farmers will see the value of protecting their livelihoods through agricultural insurance. As Gasana noted, “When farmers begin to understand that insurance is not a loss but a shield, they will join in greater numbers.”