The NDC Action Project is equipping Ugandan banana farmers with crop insurance in response to the growing vulnerability from climate change. Through digital platforms, farmers document crop health and access insurance payouts, significantly improving their adaptation to extreme weather events. The initiative has successfully trained numerous farmers and is set to expand its reach across the nation, aiming to enhance resilience while securing the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
In Uganda, banana farmers are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Ahumwire Justine, a farmer from Shuku, experienced this firsthand when a severe storm destroyed not only her banana trees but also killed two of her cows, leaving her family in dire financial straits. With no insurance to cushion the blow, Justine and her family faced the possibility of abandoning their two-hectare farm. Increasing storm frequency is a growing concern, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warning that such extreme weather patterns will only become more common. In response to this crisis, the NDC Action Project—a collaborative initiative by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre—aims to equip farmers like Justine with tools to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Mirey Atallah, Chief of the Adaptation and Resilience Branch within UNEP’s Climate Change Division, emphasizes the necessity of projects that meld technical and financial resources to bolster farmers’ resilience against climate shocks. Bananas significantly contribute to Uganda’s economy, involving nearly half of the farming population as of 2019. However, the severe unpredictability in weather patterns, including prolonged rainfall followed by lengthy droughts, poses a substantial threat to farmers’ livelihoods. Florence Muranga, Director at the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre, articulates the risks faced by farmers: “They can lose their food, their livelihood, their house in one day.” The Centre, which supports over 5,000 banana farmers, has been pivotal in facilitating access to crop insurance while educating farmers on smartphone usage. This training allows them to document crop conditions and submit damage claims digitally, streamlining the process to assess losses post-storm. About half of the farmers engaged in this pilot project are women, ensuring inclusivity. Through a partnership with Agriculture and Climate Risk Enterprise Africa and Agro Consortium Limited, farmers benefit from expedited insurance claims, which are linked digitally to lower inspection requirements and reduce premiums. Additional education on water management techniques and agroforestry practices has notably enhanced productivity, with some farmers experiencing up to six-fold increases in yield, subsequently decreasing their climate-related losses. This reduction in risk has facilitated easier access to loans from financial institutions. Following the proof-of-concept success, the initiative will expand to encompass all 5,000 farmers affiliated with the Centre, with aspirations to reach 50,000 banana farmers across Uganda. For Justine, the provision of insurance represents a vital source of reassurance, providing security in the face of potential agricultural setbacks. “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.” Amidst the pressures of climate change, UNEP continues to advocate for the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise, laying out a roadmap with targeted solutions across sectors, such as energy, agriculture, and food.
The increasing vulnerability of farmers, particularly in the agricultural sector, due to climate change is a significant concern. The recently observed patterns of severe weather, including storms and prolonged droughts, have adversely affected crop yields and farmer livelihoods. Bananas, a staple and economically crucial crop in Uganda, are particularly susceptible. A joint initiative between UNEP and its partners aims to enhance farmer resilience through innovative insurance solutions that combine technology and financial support, enabling better recovery from climate-related disasters.
In conclusion, the novel insurance initiative spearheaded by UNEP and its partners represents a critical step in aiding Uganda’s banana farmers amidst the escalating challenges posed by climate change. By providing farmers with essential tools for recovery and resilience, such as digital platforms for insurance claims and training in agricultural practices, the scheme helps to secure their livelihoods and promotes economic stability in the region. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term adaptability to the changing climate.
Original Source: www.unenvironment.org
