GAIP, AgroT Hub sensitise farmers in Pru West, Atebubu-Amantin on Agricultural Insurance

The Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool (GAIP) and AgroT Hub have organised a two-day sensitisation programme for farmers and other stakeholders in the Pru West District and the Atebubu-Amantin Municipality of the Bono East Region.

The programme forms part of efforts by GAIP to educate farmers on an agricultural insurance scheme being rolled out across the country to provide financial protection against losses resulting from unforeseen disasters.

The insurance scheme covers both crop and livestock farming.

Under the crop insurance component, farmers receive protection against risks including drought, floods, fire, pests, diseases and windstorms.

For livestock farmers, the insurance provides coverage for animals lost through diseases, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.

Speaking during the sensitisation programme, a member of the Technical Committee of GAIP, Mr. Paul Ampadu-Yeboah, explained that the initiative is currently at the pilot stage and is being implemented in selected districts and municipalities across the country.

He said six districts and municipalities in the Bono East Region are among the areas covered under the pilot programme. These include Techiman South, Nkoranza South, Kintampo South, Kintampo North, Atebubu-Amantin and Pru West.

According to him, the programme will eventually be extended nationwide, with registration expected to begin during the next farming window.

Mr. Ampadu-Yeboah encouraged farmers who subscribe to the insurance scheme not to become complacent in managing their farms simply because they have insurance coverage.

He stressed that insurance should serve as a form of financial protection against unforeseen losses and not as a reason for farmers to neglect good farming practices.

Also speaking at the programme, a GAIP officer, Mr. Yarney, highlighted the benefits of agricultural insurance and urged farmers to take advantage of the scheme to give themselves greater financial security in their farming activities.

He said the availability of insurance could give farmers greater confidence to invest in their farms, particularly at a time when climate-related risks and other unforeseen challenges continue to threaten agricultural production.

Mr. Yarney further explained that the claims process has been designed to make it convenient for genuine beneficiaries, including the use of mobile money for payments after the necessary investigations have been completed.

He, however, cautioned farmers against making fraudulent claims, stressing that investigations would be conducted to establish whether a reported loss was genuinely caused by an insured disaster.

He warned that subscribers who deliberately cause damage to their farms or livestock, or falsify information to obtain insurance benefits, could face legal action.

The sensitisation programme forms part of GAIP's broader efforts to increase awareness of agricultural insurance among farmers and encourage them to adopt risk‑management measures that can help protect their investments and livelihoods.