Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba ,Zimpapers Reporter
AGRICULTURAL insurance is a vital safeguard for farmers against the increasing uncertainties brought about by climate change, the Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services’ Provincial Director for Midlands Province, Ms Olga Mavankeli, has said.
Addressing farmers in Gokwe South, Ms Mavankeli emphasised that, as agriculture remains the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, insurance must be regarded as an essential input — one that enables farmers to recover from losses caused by droughts, floods, and other natural disasters.
“The importance of agricultural insurance cannot be overstated. By mitigating the financial impacts of these events, agricultural insurance can play a key role in promoting productivity and sustainability within the sector,” she said.
Ms Mavankeli noted that agriculture is central to both food security and the achievement of the country’s broader economic development goals.
“The success of farmers is pivotal to the sustainable transformation of the agriculture sector and the nation’s prosperity at large. However, we are all acutely aware of the challenges that climate change poses to agricultural productivity and sustainability,” she said.
She highlighted that droughts, floods, frost, veld fires, pests, and diseases have become more frequent and unpredictable, posing serious threats to farmers’ livelihoods and national food security.
“In the past, we used to see significant spacing between these weather events, but now, climate change is increasingly becoming a daily threat.
“We are witnessing droughts every two to three years. This calls for aggressive action to enhance the resilience of our agriculture sector, which is the lifeline of our economy,” she said.
Ms Mavankeli said the partnership between the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ) to roll out agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers was a major step in de-risking the sector.
“It is in this context that the partnership between the Ministry and the ICZ to de-risk the agriculture sector through rolling out agricultural insurance to smallholder farmers is so significant,” she said.
She described the collaboration as a game-changer for agricultural sector growth and real transformation.
“By providing a safety net against catastrophic weather events and other perils, we are not only protecting the livelihoods of our farmers but also encouraging investment in agriculture, improving food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices,” she said.
Ms Mavankeli said the Government had urged farmers to embrace insurance and treat it as a standard input in farming, just like seed or fertiliser.
She added that de-risking initiatives were crucial in creating an enabling environment for responsible and sustainable investments, which are essential to achieving the objectives of the Agriculture and Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy.
“I am delighted to note that last season saw a sizable number of farmers embracing agricultural insurance, following extensive awareness campaigns conducted by the Ministry in conjunction with the Insurance and Pensions Commission (Ipec) These farmers demonstrated remarkable foresight and resilience in the face of climate uncertainty),” she said.
Ms Mavankeli also pointed out that agricultural insurance can help smallholder farmers access credit, as financial institutions are more willing to lend to insured farmers.
“This can enable farmers to invest in improved seeds, fertilisers, and other high-value inputs, thereby enhancing their productivity and income,” she said.
She reiterated that the Government remains committed to promoting climate-resilient agriculture, citing the success of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, which has boosted yields across the country compared to conventional farming methods.
