8 Apr 2019

Insurance mooted for Pacific farmers

12:47 pm on 8 April 2019

This year's Pacific Agriculture Ministers meeting is expected to discuss a proposal for introducing insurance for farmers.

UNDP supported programme in Vanuatu to share farming techniques to improve resilience to climate change. Aug 2015.

Community members from Tanoliu showcase their demonstration plot to their Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tonga counterparts. Photo: Supplied/ UNDP

Talamua Online reported the subject was already under discussion in the run up to the meeting in Apia in October.

A consultant, Afuamua Lafaele Enoka, said he believed cost was one of the reasons why governments were reluctant to endorse such insurance.

Farmers are among the most vulnerable to natural disasters but their nation's entire economies are affected, he said.

Talks are being held between the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and Samoa's Ministry of Agriculture.