Two ministries, Agriculture and Environment, have entered into a crop and livestock insurance partnership with local financial institutions in a bid to cushion farmers against the adverse effects of climate change.
The programme which will be piloted in Nakuru, Bungoma and Embu counties seeks to sensitise more than 180,000 crop and livestock farmers in bid to become food sufficient while also creating more wealth and gainful job opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Speaking Saturday in Rongai sub-county after launching the programme, Environment CS Prof Judy Wakhungu said the project will be a pathway to sustainable growth and development of rural economies in the sub counties.
‘This project will be rolled out in 30 counties as we look to cushion livestock, wheat and maize farmers against harsh climatic conditions like drought in order to curb heavy losses during these periods. The government will also sponsor farmers in compensation in the event of losses during these periods.’ Prof Wakhungu stated.
The minister also called on large scale, wheat and maize farmers from the target areas to take advantage of the current planting season that ends in April and enroll in large numbers for the programme in order to benefit.
"We are also targeting to insure 54,000 units of livestock for 54,000 households in the arid and semi-arid regions in the country in this financial year so that farmers in these areas can also benefit from this programme. We therefore call upon farmers to turn up and register for this project as we aim at improving the livelihoods of farmers,"Wakhungu said.
According to Wakhungu, the second phase of the crop insurance will see Meru, Kitui, Narok, Homabay and Laikipia counties benefiting from the programme bringing the total coverage of crops under insurance to 300,000 hectares by the year 2019.
She also confirmed that the Agriculture ministry will provide subsidised drought resistant seeds and fertiliser to more farmers in bid to scale the intake of more farmers in the arid and semi-arid regions areas of the country in the programme.