The farmers were compensated on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, during a ceremony held in Nyamugari Cell attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana; the Director General of Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), Dr. Karangwa Patrick; the Mayor of Burera District, Marie Chantal Uwanyirigira and others.
Compensated farmers are from COVMB cooperative growing crops in Nyirabibande wetland, who are members of BK Insurance.
During the event, farmers also paid Rwf1 million for insurance of corns planted in this season.
The president of Cooperative COVMB, which consists of more than 1450 farmers, commended the system of crop consolidation because it allows the farmer to take care of crops being assured of compensation in case of losses.
He thanked BK Insurance for introducing the insurance scheme because their crops would get ravaged and suffer losses before without anyone to intervene.
Nyirabibande Swamp has an area of 319 hectares. Farmers experienced loss in potatoes grown on 14.99 hectares due to drought, diseases and floods.
The CEO of BK Insurance, Alex Bahizi said that the company has released Rwf 328 million including Rwf100 million used to compensate the farmers while the rest was allocated for support to the farmers.
He revealed that the crop insurance covers corns, potatoes, wheat, rice, pepper, beans, and others. Bahizi went on to explain that they want to insure 40% of all the crops in the country.
He urged residents to do farming professionally to prevent avoidable losses.
Bahizi asked the farmers to participate in the insurance scheme because disasters improvise often.
He requested them to take advantage of the subsidy program introduced the government to get insurance.
The Mayor of Burera District, Marie Chantal Uwanyirigira said that residents were initially reluctant but have gradually changed mindsets and got their crops insured to avoid heavy blows.
Minister Mukeshimana said that farmers should organize their activities because disasters do not send a warning.
BK Insurance also donated 10 spray pumps and 15 hoes to farmers who helped their colleagues understand the program.
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