Agrarian-reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Philippines are protected against natural calamities, as well as tragic accidents under an insurance program jointly being implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

Aside from losses incurred by farmers as a result of devastating typhoons and floods, farmers may also avail themselves of financial support through insurance coverage in case of accident.

The DAR-AIP subsidized 100 percent of the ARB’s premium for rice, corn, high-value crops and livestock insurance, which has a built-in insurance for accident and death for ARBs and members of their household.

The DAR-AIP was launched in 2013 by the DAR and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) to provide crop insurance protection against crop losses caused

Early this year, 1,198 farmers from San Pablo and Cabagan, Isabela, received their indemnity claims to cover the losses over their rice and corn farmlands brought about by a drought that hit Isabela during the second cropping season this year.

The checks amounting to P13.8 million covers 2,044.31 hectares of farmland from the municipalities of San Pablo and Cabagan.

The coverage of the crop insurance starts from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Insurance Cover. This means that insurance will start from planting to harvesting and will cover the cost of production inputs plus an additional amount to cover up to 20 percent of the value of the expected yield.

Just last month, 27 farmers from Sumilao received their indemnity claims from the PCIC to cover for the crop losses they incurred when tropical depression Agaton struck Mindanao last year.

The checks amounting to P252,394.77 were distributed to the 27 beneficiaries who are members of the Panaw Multipurpose Cooperative from Sumilao, Bukidnon.

The farmers planted corn during the last cropping season in 2013 when Agaton struck Mindanao January of that year and destroyed their crops.

The DAR encourages farmers to enroll in the program, which is fully subsidized by the DAR.

Source - http://businessmirror.com.ph/