The Government of Rwanda continues to put efforts into promoting the agricultural and livestock insurance program, aimed at helping farmers avoid losses caused by natural disasters and diseases affecting crops and livestock. Through the program “Tekana urishingiwe Muhinzi–Mworozi,” the Government of Rwanda has committed to covering 40% of the insurance cost to make it easier for farmers and livestock keepers to participate in this program.
The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Cyubahiro Bagabe Marc, says that agricultural insurance is one of the key strategies to promote sustainable agriculture. He said: “Insurance is a solution that helps farmers avoid major losses when disasters or other effects of climate change occur. It is important for every farmer to take it up because the government helps by contributing to the cost.”
So far, statistics show that only 5.4% of farmers nationwide have joined the insurance program. However, some districts have made remarkable progress, such as Nyamagabe District, where 39% of farmers have insured their crops and livestock. The District leadership says this progress was achieved through collaboration between agricultural advisors, cooperatives, and local authorities in raising awareness about the importance of insurance.
Besides insurance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources also encourages farmers to practice zero-grazing and rainwater harvesting in order to increase productivity and address the effects of climate change. Zero-grazing helps prevent livestock diseases and provides organic fertilizer, while rainwater harvesting helps fight drought and supports irrigation.
All these programs aim to empower farmers to be self-reliant, increase productivity, and promote sustainable agriculture in Rwanda for the long term.
