Moovah calls on farmers to get agric insurance cover as hailstorms lash parts of the country
ECOCASH Holdings Zimbabwe Limited’s short-term insurance unit Moovah has urged farmers to take up agricultural insurance to be self-sufficient in times of crisis and protect their investments.
The call comes in the wake of recent hailstorms that hit several farming regions across the country, damaging crops and causing floods that have left some farmers at risk of losing their summer crops, including tobacco, maize and sunflowers as the rainy season intensifies, with more rainfall forecast in the coming two weeks.
While the country welcomes the rains, Zimbabwe — whose agro-based economy thrives on good rainy seasons — has in recent years been experiencing extreme weather patterns, including cyclones, recurring droughts, pests and extreme temperatures which have all negatively affected agricultural production in the last two decades.
But EcoCash Holdings’ Moovah said to avert such disasters and minimise losses, farmers needed to start insuring their crops in light of growing risks of climate change.
“Farming can be unpredictable. That is why it is important for farmers to take insurance cover for their products as a way of protecting their investment,” the company said.
The levels of agricultural insurance in the farming sector in Zimbabwe is known to be very low, with agriculture contributing barely five percent (5%) to gross premiums of insurance products.
Agronomists say most local farmers lack knowledge regarding insurance, and do not know the importance and value of insuring their crops and agricultural products from natural disasters or changing weather patterns.
However, when disaster strikes farmers lose money they would have invested in procuring inputs such seeds, fertilizers, chemicals as well as labour.
Most significantly, they lose the income they were expecting to earn from the failed agricultural produce.
Moovah offered to assist in this regard, by ensuring farmers have agricultural insurance cover.
“As partners in agriculture, we are here to make insurance even more accessible, affordable and appealing to farmers throughout the country. We continue to invest in effective risk management in order to make a real difference in helping farmers create a sustainable future,” Moovah said.
“Farmers need insurance that covers all their crops, livestock and assets against the perils of the weather and natural disasters. Our agriculture insurance scheme offers farmers specialist knowledge and continued research into the science of crop damage, along with worldclass advice on the matter,” said Moovah.
Moovah’s crop and livestock insurance covers crop farming and animal husbandry against loss resulting from any unfortunate occurrences such as fire, theft or disease.
“Our livestock insurance also allows farmers to enjoy discounted rates on other Moovah farm assets such as tractors, buildings and milking parlours,” the company added.
Besides agriculture insurance cover, Moovah continues to offer convenient insurance cover for vehicles, property and household property, among others.
To register for Moovah crop and livestock insurance cover, email: underwriting@cassavasmartech.co.zw or call 311.