Burkina Faso: crop insurance against climate threats

Published on : 05/08/2022 – 00:28

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In Burkina Faso, the government and its partners are providing farmers with insurance to protect their crops against climate threats. After a period of experience, the system is now offered to farmers in several regions of the country. The insurance currently only covers maize and sorghum. These two species will thus be protected against drought for subscribers. The details of the operation with Yaya Boudani.

This new agricultural insurance is a mechanism put in place by the government and its partners to protect producers. It is offered to anyone with a farm, according to Jean-Marie Vianney Beyi, deputy general manager of the project’s partner insurance company. ” In terms of subscription, the price is unique, namely 12,397 francs per hectare. And in these 12,397, the State subsidizes up to 50%. Therefore, the producer will have to pay 6,193 FCFA per hectare. In terms of compensation, the ceiling is 130 000 FCFA per hectare “, he explains, « mBut that does not mean that there will systematically be this amount which will be allocated because it will depend on the criteria, because there are alert thresholds which will be calculated and determine the amount to be paid per hectare according to the people who will be affected. »

This agricultural insurance covers only one claim, drought. According to Victor Bonogo, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources, drought constitutes 53% of the threat to agricultural production in Burkina Faso: ” Very often over the last ten years, we have had a recurrence of drought or a pocket of drought, and we have experienced rainfall deficits. This is practically one of the factors that tires our producers the most in Burkina. »

For the time being, only two crops are covered by the insurance: maize and sorghum. These are the products most consumed by the population. Alidou Bayilou, a producer in the Boucle du Mouhoun region, farms 14 hectares of several crops including corn, millet and cotton. It has already lost 50% of its production, following pockets of drought: “ At one point, when production was nearing the end, towards maturity, certain cereals or seeds were not in good shape, and certain plots did not yield anything. Such insurance would be welcome in case there are droughts. Instead of the producer being the loser, at least the insurance could manage to compensate him a little. I think that would be very important for producers. »

Mady Condombo, president of the regional chamber of agriculture of the center-west, pleads for the consideration of other crops such as rice or millet. The government promises to integrate other speculations, as the process produces its results.

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