Rwanda farmers receive over Rwf9.5 billion in insurance payouts under disaster protection scheme

By The Inspirer.

Farmers and livestock keepers affected by climate-related disasters have received more than Rwf9.5 billion in compensation under Rwanda’s agricultural insurance programme, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board) has announced.

The payouts were made through the “Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi” scheme, a government-backed agricultural insurance initiative launched in 2019 to shield farmers from losses caused by droughts, diseases, and other shocks affecting agricultural production.

RAB says the programme has expanded steadily, now covering tens of thousands of farmers across the country, with both crop and livestock insurance components gaining traction.

A farmer from Rusizi District, Ntirenganya Jean Baptiste, said the scheme has provided a critical safety net after he lost an insured cow valued at Rwf1 million due to illness.

He said he was fully compensated within two months, an experience that encouraged him to expand his coverage from four to ten cattle.

“I was paid back Rwf1 million within less than two months, and that experience convinced me to increase my insured cattle from four to ten,” he said.

Under the scheme, farmers pay 60% of the insurance premium while the government subsidises 40%, making coverage more affordable and accessible.

RAB official Museruka Joseph said uptake of the programme has continued to grow, with more than 50,000 cattle, over 15,000 pigs, 400,000 chickens, and over 32,000 hectares of crops now insured annually.

Despite this progress, officials say coverage remains below potential, with large gaps between eligible agricultural land and livestock and those actually insured in many districts.

In Rusizi District, for example, out of more than 1,000 hectares of maize eligible for insurance, only 49 hectares are currently covered, while bean crops remain entirely uninsured despite widespread cultivation.

Similar gaps are seen in livestock insurance, including cattle, pigs, poultry, and fish farming, where only a small proportion is covered compared to total production capacity.

National targets aim to raise insurance coverage to 30% of livestock and 30% of cultivated land in priority agricultural zones by 2030.

Museruka said more than 200,000 farmers nationwide have already joined the programme, with over Rwf17 billion in premiums collected so far.

He added that insured farmers are typically compensated within 30 days once claims are verified and approved by insurance providers.

Rusizi District Mayor Sindayiheba Phanuel urged more farmers and livestock keepers to embrace the scheme, noting its role in reducing vulnerability to climate-induced losses and strengthening agricultural resilience.

Source: IGIHE