NAIROBI,Kenya– The Government has launched a Fertilizer Insurance Program aimed at shielding smallholder farmers from the devastating effects of climate change, in partnership with global foundations and agri-insurance innovators.
The program, collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, Pula, the Bayer Foundation, and the Lemonade Foundation, will see 250,000 farmers across 10 counties benefit from climate risk insurance embedded into the national fertilizer subsidy scheme.
This season, two bags of fertilizer per farmer will be fully insured at no extra cost.
“This is a major step forward for agricultural resilience in Kenya,” said Rose Goslinga, President and co-founder of Pula.
“Agricultural insurance helps farmers cope with unpredictable climate shocks. By embedding insurance into the national subsidy program, we ensure its affordable and accessible.”
Through mobile technology, registered farmers will automatically receive compensation via M-Pesa if their crops fail due to drought or floods.
Field assessments and crop-cutting experiments will determine payouts, with support from local insurers like Bima.
Speaking at the launch, Acting Director General of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Samuel Ndung’u said the initiative adds value to the existing fertilizer subsidy scheme.
“The government currently subsidizes fertilizer to Sh 2,500 per bag. This insurance is an enhanced benefit that farmers will enjoy at no extra cost this season,” he stated.
Mildred, representing the Bayer Foundation, noted a $10 million commitment over five years to support 10 million farmers globally.
The Lemonade Foundation, represented by Dimitri Fisler, reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging insure-tech for social good.
The first insured fertilizer packages were distributed to farmers from Makueni County, marking a new chapter in climate-smart agriculture and rural resilience in Kenya.
