Agri National

Poultry Farmers Must Insure Farms against Bird Flu – GAIP

Marketing Manager for the Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool, GAIP, Mr. Jerry Quanson has advised poultry farmers to insure their farms against bird flu and other eventualities in the face of several risk factors associated with poultry farming in Ghana.

According to him, the Agricultural Insurance Pool after realizing the challenges involved in poultry farming, has developed a special package cover for the poultry farmers to provide them with the necessary relief in the event of an outbreak of diseases.

Experts say insurance should be part of any risk management strategy. However, the agricultural sector is susceptible to many challenges. Uncertainties in weather conditions which subsequently affects farms yields and the of lack of access to capital and farm inputs, as well as unfavourable trade policies limits the economic potential of stakeholders in the sector, particularly smallholder farmers.

Many banks also shy away from lending to the agricultural sector and even when they do, it is at higher interest rates.

It is against this background that agricultural insurance was introduced to address some of these challenges, most of which are beyond the control of the farmers.

The respite, Mr. Quanson added is to ensure that affected poultry farmers remain in business even in the face of such risks.

Speaking in an interview with Captain Adabugar during the Akuafo Sesen segment of the morning show to educate poultry farmers on the insurance pool, the Agric Insurance Marketing Manager said posited that scheme decided to roll a special package for poultry farmers when several poultry farmers suffered losses following government’s decision to destroy farms affected by various disease outbreaks.

“Having taken into consideration the outbreak of the bird flu where government had to order the destruction of a number of fowls believed to be affected by the bird flu and later compensate affected owners, the scheme decided to roll a special package for the poultry farmers to avert future losses,” he asserted.

Mr. Quanson therefore advised the poultry farmers to take advantage of the special package cover prepared for them if they are concerned about their business since it is a highly risky activity and hence must be insured against any eventuality.

Role of agric insurance

Formerly, there was no coverage for farmers to enable them to invest in potentially more lucrative farm activities.

However, in 2011 stakeholders in the insurance industry came together under the auspices of the Ghana Insurers Association (GIA) to form the Ghana Agriculture Insurance Pool (GAIP) which is mandated to supply agric insurance products to farmers.

Agric insurance is a specialized area and that the GAIP is working with support of GIA, USAID, ADVANCE and others to provide insurance for smallholder famers, commercial farmers and another product for poultry farmers.

Source; Prince Paul Amuzu/www.ritefmonline.org/princeamuzu667@gmail.com

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