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By Christophe Uwizeyimana
Rwanda, like many other countries, has also been affected by the serious problems caused by climate change., livestock diseases, and crop pests. These challenges have caused heavy and long-term losses to farmers and livestock keepers. To address this issue, the Government of Rwanda introduced a program called the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS), locally branded as “Tekana urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi”, which provides crop and livestock insurance with a 40% government subsidy.
Today, farmers who have joined the scheme express great satisfaction and encourage others to join as well. They testify that those who experience losses are compensated instead of losing everything.
Farmers’ Experiences in Bugesera District
In Bugesera District, one of the Rwandan districts frequently affected by drought, particularly in Mareba Sector, several farmers have already enrolled in this crop and livestock insurance scheme. They say they now live without fear because, whenever disasters strike their farms, the insurance steps in to help them recover.
Elias Ntaganira, a resident of Rususa Village, Bushenyi Cell, Mareba Sector, shared: “I insured my maize crop planted on half a hectare. There are many benefits in this insurance because, before joining, I used to lose everything whenever drought hit. But now, when there’s excessive sun or heavy rain, they reimburse the money I paid for the insurance. Once, I planted maize on 22 acres and it all dried up, but they compensated me. Each are was valued based on 312 Rwandan francs I paid for it, and they paid me the full amount. I was very happy. This program is not expensive at all, and I encourage every farmer who hasn’t joined yet to do so.’’
Beatha Ntabanganyimana, the president of ‘IZE MUGEMA’ Cooperative, which grows maize, rice, beans, soybeans, vegetables, and fruits, also praised the benefits of the Tekana urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi program. She highlights: “We insure our crops because climate change often causes us severe losses. We were lucky to meet insurance companies and be sensitized about this program. It has really helped us because we no longer suffer the huge losses we used to face before. Previously, when drought struck, we couldn’t harvest anything. Now things are different. For instance, in Season B of 2024, we had insured over 20 hectares of maize and received 3 million Rwandan francs in compensation due to drought. This program is truly beneficial.”
Edouard Bamporiki, a mixed farmer from Bukumba Village, Bushenyi Cell, Mareba Sector, also testifies: “I keep cows, chickens, and pigs all insured. In farming, I grow rice, chili, and beans, and all are insured. I started with rice insurance in 2020. My harvest failed, but they paid me back. Since then, I’ve continued because when you suffer losses, it really helps you recover.”
Mr. Isaac Mahoro, a livestock farmer in Bugesera, said he now raises his cows without fear of losses, as any incidents are compensated. He mentions: “Before joining the Tekana urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi, I lost many cows and never got any compensation. It was discouraging. But after joining, whenever an insured cow died, I was compensated. I’ve already been reimbursed for more than 10 cows. I currently have over 40 cows insured, and I now feel secure in my farming.”
Local Government Support
Richard Mutabazi, Mayor of Bugesera District, emphasized that this insurance program is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture and livestock farming. However, he noted that some farmers have not yet fully embraced it because it is still relatively new.
“Our main strategy is to continue sensitizing farmers about the Tekana urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi program, using testimonies from those who have already benefited,” he said.
In Bugesera District, insurance coverage currently stands at 21% for cattle, 91% for poultry, and 97% for pigs, 25% for Maize while about 63% of rice farmers are insured.
National Coordination and Assurance
Dr. Solange Uwituze, Acting Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), reassured farmers that the Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi insurance scheme is affordable, due in part to the government’s 40% subsidy.
“Farmers should not worry. We have designed different approaches to help them, such as forming ‘Ibyanya Bigega’ so they can pay together. Those unable to pay upfront can even get loans and repay after harvest. MINAGRI, RAB, and the media will continue to raise awareness so that more farmers understand and join this beneficial program,” she explained.
About Rwanda National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (Tekana urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi)
Tekana urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi program, officially launched on April 23, 2019, by MINAGRI, offers comprehensive insurance against agricultural and livestock losses. It is implemented through partnerships between MINAGRI and registered insurance companies. The government subsidizes 40% of the total insurance cost, making it more affordable for farmers. The insurance covers the entire farming investment from land preparation to harvest.
Key Benefits of Agricultural Insurance
- It protects farmers from unexpected losses caused by climate change, pests, and diseases by compensating for damaged crops or livestock.
- It enables farmers to access agricultural loans from financial institutions.
- It helps increase agricultural productivity and ensures investment security.
Eligibility and Duration
The insurance is available to individual farmers, farmer groups, and cooperatives across all districts, regardless of the size of their farms. The insurance period typically lasts for one farming season, varying depending on the crop and region.
Covered Risks
The insurance covers losses resulting from floods, heavy rainfall, drought, frost, strong winds, erosion, landslides, uncontrollable diseases and pests, and fires.
Excluded Risks
It does not cover losses caused by poor or incomplete farming practices, theft, war, birds and wild animals, delayed harvesting, use of damaged or uncertified seeds, or crops grown outside suitable areas.
Crops Covered
The scheme currently ensures maize, maize seed production, rice, potatoes, potato seed production, beans, climbing beans, cassava, soybeans, chili, and green beans.
Government Commitment and Impact
The Government of Rwanda has pledged to continue supporting farmers in adapting to climate change and increasing access to agricultural loans from 6% to 10% by 2029 as outlined in the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2). Through Tekana urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi, the government subsidizes 40% of the insurance premium, while farmers and livestock keepers pay the remaining 60%.
So far, eight crops; rice, maize, potatoes, cassava, soybeans, beans, green beans, and chili are covered under the scheme, along with cattle, pigs, poultry, and fish in the livestock sector. Each year, approximately 189,734 farmers and livestock keepers representing 6% of all farmers, benefit from the program. Up to now, over 8.19 billion Rwandan francs have been paid out in compensation (3.57 billion in livestock and 4.62 billion in crops).
The government has also contributed about 5.95 billion Rwandan francs in subsidies and plans to increase this support as more farmers enroll.
Both MINAGRI and RAB and other partners continue to encourage all Rwandan farmers and livestock keepers to seize this opportunity to protect their livelihoods against the growing threats of climate change affecting agriculture worldwide.
Photos:
Photo: Bugesera Farmers Embrace the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS), ‘TEKANA URISHINGIWE MUHINZI-MWOROZI’
Photo:Protected and reassured: Farmer Elias Ntaganira benefits from the Tekana insurance scheme
Photo:Beatha Ntabanganyimana, President of ‘IZE MUGEMA’ Cooperative from Bugesera, highlights the benefits of crop insurance against climate risks
Photo:Edouard Bamporiki, a farmer from Bukumba Village, Mareba Sector, insures his crops and livestock under Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi insurance scheme, ensuring compensation for losses
Photo: From loss to security: Isaac Mahoro insures his livestock under Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi
Photo:Mayor Richard Mutabazi encourages farmers to join the Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi insurance scheme, highlighting its benefits and current coverage statistics in Bugesera.
Photo:Dr. Solange Uwituze, Acting Director General of RAB, reassures farmers that the Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi insurance scheme is affordable and accessible, supported by the government’s 40% subsidy
Photo:Bigaga Valley, Bushenyi Cell, Mareba Sector, Bugesera District, with insured rice plantations
