The Nakuru County Government has partnered with agricultural insurance and technology company PULA to promote crop insurance among farmers.
Despite widespread awareness of crop insurance, many farmers remain unclear on how it works, limiting adoption.
To address this gap, PULA and the county administration are rolling out training and awareness campaigns before the maize harvesting season to help farmers understand the insurance scheme and make informed decisions.
The initiative comes as farmers prepare for the maize harvesting season. PULA and the devolved unit have launched a training programme to help farmers understand the benefits of index-based insurance and make informed decisions about protecting their crops against climate risks.
According to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services, Leonard Bor, maize farmers who redeemed at least two bags of subsidised fertiliser through the e-Voucher scheme are automatically covered under the insurance programme.
Bor noted crop insurance will provide financial security to smallholder farmers vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns. He explained that awareness campaigns are underway to sensitise farmers about the insured maize programme, which is tailored to safeguard livelihoods, reduce government relief spending, and enhance resilience against climate shocks.
Kenya’s agriculture is predominantly rain-fed, with the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy (2017–2026) showing that 98 per cent of farming systems rely on rainfall. Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of food production, are particularly vulnerable to droughts and floods, with less than one per cent currently covered by insurance.
PULA, which offers low-cost index-based insurance bundled with inputs such as seeds and fertiliser, leverages mobile technology and works with banks, governments, and agri-input companies to reach farmers. The company aims to simplify access to insurance while improving data management and farmer feedback systems.
Bor emphasised that agricultural insurance is crucial for ensuring food security and income stability in the face of increasing climate variability.
He added that insurance enables farmers to access credit, trade with value chain actors, and reinvest after crop losses.
“Unpredictable weather and frequent natural disasters threaten our economy and food basket. Crop insurance is the best way to protect agricultural investments, ensuring farmers receive compensation in case of loss,” Bor said.
With crop insurance gaining recognition across Kenya, the partnership between PULA and Nakuru County marks a significant step towards equipping farmers with tools to withstand climate shocks and secure their livelihoods.
Source: Kenya News
