As the Government of Rwanda continues to promote agricultural insurance by subsidizing 60% of premiums leaving farmers to contribute the remaining 40%, farmers in Nyamagabe District say significant obstacles are preventing full participation in the program.
Insurance companies acknowledge that although the crop insurance scheme is designed to protect farmers against losses caused by natural disasters and climate change, both awareness and implementation remain low.
Immacule Nyirambonabucya, an officer from BK Insurance in Nyamagabe District, says the main challenge is limited understanding among farmers about the benefits of crop insurance.
“The uptake of agricultural insurance in Rwanda is still low. We have a long journey ahead in helping farmers fully understand its advantages and in changing mindsets.” She shared.
She noted that farmers organized in cooperatives are more likely to ensure their crops compared to individual farmers. However, she also pointed out that insurance companies may refuse compensation in cases where farmer negligence is identified.
“Some farmers cultivate in marshlands that the government helped rehabilitate, but maintenance practices are sometimes inadequate. If negligence is proven, the insurance company may decline payment. Modern farming practices and proper land management are essential.” She explained.
Farmers say that when disasters strike and they seek compensation, the amounts assessed by insurance companies often fall short of their actual investment.
Emmanuel Sindayiheba, a maize farmer in Kamegeri marshland, shared his experience:“We suffered losses on more than 15 hectares, but we were compensated less than 5 million Rwandan Francs. An independent evaluator assessed our losses at 8 million Francs. Losing 3 million Francs is a major setback for any farmer.”
Farmers also complain about having to pay evaluation fees for loss assessments, arguing that it is unfair for them to incur additional costs after already suffering losses. In Cyanika and Mugano marshlands, where many farmers grow maize and beans, climate change is having a serious impact.
Cansilda Uwera, a bean farmer in Cyanika Sector, said:“We plant according to normal seasonal patterns, but rainfall has become unpredictable and we incur losses. We need timely and reliable climate information.”
Farmers also cite delays and high prices of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and seeds. They say these challenges negatively affect both productivity and insurance assessments.
To address these challenges and boost agricultural productivity, Nyamagabe District has established 129 Farmer Field Business Schools (FOBASI) across five sectors:Gatare (16),Buruhukiro (38),Cyanika (30),Kamegeri (23),Mugano (22).
More than 4,000 people have been reached through various training sessions and public meetings. Farmers are calling for:Greater transparency in loss assessments,Reduction or removal of evaluation fees,Timely weather and climate information,Improved distribution of agricultural inputs.
On their part, insurance providers emphasize that farmers must adopt modern agricultural practices and follow guidelines carefully to avoid negligence that could invalidate claims.
As Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) aims to triple agricultural productivity, improving the effectiveness and trustworthiness of crop insurance will be crucial in protecting farmers from losses and building a more resilient agricultural sector in Rwanda.
