Ahumwire Justine, a banana farmer in Uganda, experienced devastating losses due to a severe storm exacerbated by climate change. In response to the increasing unpredictability of weather, the NDC Action Project is implementing an insurance initiative aimed at protecting farmers from climate-related disasters. This initiative utilizes digital technology for crop assessments and promises a more rapid and cost-effective claims process. The program’s expansion aims to cover 50,000 farmers, enhancing resilience in Uganda’s agricultural sector.
In Uganda’s southwestern region, banana farmer Ahumwire Justine faced a devastating storm in October that obliterated 300 of her banana trees and resulted in the loss of two cows. This catastrophic event pushed Justine and her family to the brink of abandoning their two-hectare farm, which lacked insurance coverage. “We had no food, no money for school fees for my children and no food for my animals,” she stated, illustrating the severe impact of climate change on local agriculture. The increasing frequency of extreme weather phenomena, as noted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, poses a significant threat to farmers’ livelihoods. In response to this challenge, the NDC Action Project—a collaborative effort between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre—has introduced insurance programs aimed at providing farmers like Justine with necessary safeguards against the adverse effects of climate change. Mirey Atallah, Chief of the Adaptation and Resilience Branch within UNEP’s Climate Change Division, emphasized the urgency of supporting farmers, particularly smallholders, in adapting to climate variability. “That’s why projects that combine technical and financial instruments such as these are so important. They increase resilience and ensure that extreme weather does not have to be catastrophic for farmers.” In Uganda, bananas play a vital role in the economy, with nearly half of the farming population engaged in their cultivation. The unpredictable weather patterns attributed to climate change have severely disrupted traditional growing cycles, leading to losses. As articulated by Florence Muranga, Director of the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre, “[Farmers] can lose their food, their livelihood, their house in one day.” The Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre, which advocates for about 5,000 banana farmers, has significantly aided in expanding access to crop insurance. The initiative includes training farmers to use smartphones for documenting their crop conditions in real time. Following a storm, farmers report damage via a digital platform, where agroeconomists assess the losses, facilitating timely insurance payouts. Notably, women represent nearly half of the participants in this program. With the collaboration of Agriculture and Climate Risk Enterprise Africa, which bridges smallholder farmers and insurers, the scheme operates through Agro Consortium Limited, a collective of 13 insurance companies. This innovative approach eliminates extensive on-site damage assessments, accelerates compensation processes, and ultimately reduces insurance costs. Farmers are also receiving training in sustainable practices such as water management and agroforestry, resulting in improved productivity and decreased climate-related damages. The insurance scheme not only mitigates risks for farmers but also encourages banks to provide loans due to the added security it offers. This pilot project’s success signals a forthcoming expansion set to encompass all 5,000 farmers associated with the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre, with aspirations to reach 50,000 banana farmers nationwide. For Justine, the newly acquired insurance provides invaluable reassurance. “I know that if [my crops get damaged] I have help. It’s not like in other years, where I would have to start from zero.” The UNEP continues to spearhead initiatives aligning with the Paris Agreement, aiming to maintain global temperature increases below 2°C while striving for a ceiling of 1.5°C to ensure climate stability. The organization has articulated a comprehensive Sectoral Solution targeting six pivotal areas: energy, industry, agriculture and food, forests and land use, transport, and buildings and cities. Such structured efforts are essential in mitigating the impacts of climate change on agriculture and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers.
The article discusses the devastating effects of climate change on banana farmers in Uganda, highlighting the challenges faced due to extreme weather patterns. The introduction of a novel insurance scheme under the NDC Action Project is explored as a pivotal response to this predicament, aiming to bolster farmers’ resilience against climate-related disasters. This initiative involves training farmers in the use of technology for timely assessments of crop damage and the subsequent facilitation of insurance claims.
The introduction of innovative insurance mechanisms for Ugandan banana farmers represents a significant step towards enhancing agricultural resilience in the face of climate change. By combining technology with financial protection, farmers like Justine can secure their livelihoods against unforeseen climatic events. As the program expands nationwide, it is poised to provide crucial support to tens of thousands of farmers, fundamentally transforming their approach to agricultural risk and sustainability.
Original Source: www.unenvironment.org
