“Insurance for smallholder agriculture is key for success. The Rwanda Agriculture Transformation for Smallholders Farming, initiated in 2011/2012, is taking shape with the full support of Government of Rwanda and ACRE Africa has been an important partner in this work with over 100, 000 farmers insured across the country.”

Raphael Rurangwa

Position: Director General of Planning

Organization: Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture

“Having the insurance encourages us to buy and use more fertilizer for our maize. We feel comfortable asking for more loans so we can get enough fertilizer to increase our yields by five times. In bad years, the insurance package assists us to repay our loan on the inputs package.”

Ndatimana Emmanuel

Position: Smallholder maize farmer with loan/training from Tubura

Location: Western Rwanda

“Since 2012, we’ve worked closely with ACRE Africa to overcome the challenges of using satellite data for understandable and affordable index insurance products. It is exciting to see the amazing things ACRE Africa is doing through remote sensing. ACRE is perhaps unique in the world in its ability to meaningfully reach large numbers of farmers with index insurance packages–they really care about getting the product right.”

Dan Osgood

Position: Lead Scientist of Financial Instrument Sector Team

Organization: International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) of Columbia University’s Earth Institute

“Prior to working with ACRE Africa, we were interested in developing an agricultural insurance portfolio, but didn’t know how to reach effectively reach smallholder farmers. We now have a rapidly growing agricultural portfolio since we can access and apply regional best practices and tailor products that were successful elsewhere in East Africa. This is improving our positioning with rural clients and we look forward to working with ACRE Africa to become the dominant market player in Tanzania in agricultural insurance.”

Nick Itunga

Position: Managing Director

Organization: UAP Insurance Tanzania Ltd.

“As a committed dairy farmer, dairy cows are my source of livelihood and when I heard of a scheme that could enable me protect my cows, I thought why not. At this moment I am peaceful knowing that in case something happens to my cow as long as it’s covered by the insurance, I will be compensated and in no time I will be back in business. The vaccines have also been accessible unlike before when we had to wait on the government to facilitate this. From the trainings that we will be given I will be a very knowledgeable farmer.”

Naum Ruto

Position: Smallholder dairy farmer

Location: Eldoret, Kenya

“When I learned of Kilimo Salama [former product brand of ACRE Africa] through their field staff and the Ministry of Agriculture, I was happy to find that I could protect my farm. The compensation in poor weather years would help me farm the next year. In good seasons I will still be happy with Kilimo Salama for I was not worried I would lose. ‘ukulima bila wasiwasi.’

Evangeline Ndumbi

Position: Smallholder maize farmer

Location: Nanyuki, Kenya

“I used to plant and not get any harvest, but now I am sure I will get something to harvest since I use better seed. The best thing about Kilimo Salama [early product brand of Acre Africa] is that I will earn even if calamities from drought or excess rain strike.  I tell my neighbors to register for insurance because they will be safe from danger even if the crops die, they still earn.???

John Akumu Oketch

Position: Smallholder maize farmer

Location: Nyanza, Kenya

Joseph is a full time farmer and owns a ¼ acre of land. He and his wife have been struggling in recent years with the lack of rainfall.  Joseph regularly buys Duma 43 [Seed Co variety] and used Kilimo Salama [insurance product] for five seasons.

When he heard about the Replanting Guarantee on the radio he ignored it the first year, but tried it in the last season and received a payout because there was drought for the 21 days after planting. He is positive about the product, has shared it with his farming group, and plans to use it again.

“ If yield is high, you can buy everything on time for next year. If not you may struggle to make ends meet.  The seeds germinated but the rains stop soon after this, I received a payout. I was very happy to receive the money.”

Joseph

Position: Smallholder maize farmer

Location: Embu, Kenya

“I just loved the whole insurance concept, my animal being protected as well taken care of well. Small holder farmers like myself are rarely involved in such like schemes and when I was approached in regards to the insurance I was so excited and now I consider myself a recognized farmer. The rates are friendly and I hope you (Dairy insurance) are here to stay.”

Judith Lagat

Position: Smallholder dairy farmer

Location: Kipkaren, Kenya