Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has announced the launch of the first ever weather-based insurance scheme for farmers in Sierra Leone.
The scheme is to give support to farmers affected by climate related disasters, the program is being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, explained during an interview of how they are going to work in ensuring the protection of farmers’ livelihoods in the face of growing climate uncertainty.
“This year, we are going to launch the first-ever weather-based insurance scheme for farmers,” Dr. Kpaka said. “This scheme is to ensure that they are able to replenish their farms after a disaster.”
The insurance program is to provide financial support to farmers affected by severe weather disasters such as storms or droughts. The scheme is expected to provide faster, more effective help, through connecting payment to weather indices rather than lengthy loss assessments. The Ministry is also establishing a stock system to ensure seed supply throughout the farming season. This scheme will safeguard seeds and distribute them to farmers incase of any emergency or a shortage.
“As a ministry, what we are doing this year is to give maybe 10 or 15 percent of seed and fertilizer in case of any repeat of last year’s incidents,” Dr. Kpaka explained. “This support will help farmers replace what they lost.”
The implementation of these programs is said to be an important step toward enhancing food security and reducing the country’s agriculture sector’s sensitivity to climate hazards. The Ministry’s proactive initiatives are said to be parts of the government’s strategy to strengthen and preserve rural farming communities across the country. The weather-based insurance program and seed stock system are said to benefit thousands of small-scale farmers across the country.
As climate change continues to pose threats concerns to agricultural productivity, the ministry is working to provide a promising and sustainable farming system in the country.
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