The Ministry of Agriculture is set to launch an Integrated Agricultural Insurance Programme to protect smallholder farmers across the country against climate-related risks.
In a statement on Monday July 21, the ministry announced that the pilot phase of the 'climate-smart insurance' programme, a public-private partnership, would be launched for farmers in Makueni, Machakos, Nyeri, Meru, Nakuru, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Kisii, Migori, Trans Nzoia and Kakamega before being expanded nationwide.
In Kenya, according to the ministry, less than 5 percent of farmers have access to formal insurance, despite them playing a key role in ensuring the country's economic fitness, making them more susceptible to emerging climate-related threats.
In addition to shielding farmers against climate-related threats, the programme also aims to ensure that farmers access critical government services, which will in turn foster long-term food security in the country.
