“Many farmers couldn’t plant within the optimal planting window so they did not plant at all, which meant that their policies had to be cancelled. Insurance cover only sets in from the date that the crops emerge.”Schultz explains that farmers typically take out multi-peril crop insurance in October and plant their crops in December. The insurer then carries out an inspection around February, and it is only once the crops emerge that cover incepts. Current maize crops underinsured “This last season [2018/2019] we initially had policies in place covering 158 000 hectares, but at the end of the day only 83 000 hectares of cover incepted and the rest was cancelled,” says Schultz, adding that Santam has capacity to insure 250 000 hectares for multi-peril crop insurance. “When you consider that Santam accounts for 50% of the market, and that the national crop that has been planted is close to two million hectares – that gives you an indication of how small a portion of the national crop had multi-peril crop insurance this season.” This scenario ties in with a statement issued earlier this year by the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), which said that the initial optimistic outlook for the 2018/19 production season had taken a downward turn. “Although the season started on a sound footing, rainfall was erratic and not widespread. As a result, planting activity proved to be a challenge in most areas, particularly the central and western regions of South Africa,” Agbiz said. Source - https://www.moneyweb.co.za
South Africa - Farmers cut back on multi-peril crop insurance
21.06.2019 239 views2024 AgroInsurance International Conference: New Partners and Agenda updates
26.02.20242024 AgroInsurance International Conference will take place on June 3-5, 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Planet Labs (USA) and GAF AG (Germany) are sponsors of our conference. Agremo (Serbia) has been confirmed as the Organization Partner. More partners and sponsors to be announced in March 2024.
Spain - 30% of La Palma's banana production has already been lost due to the advance of the lava
14.10.2021More than three weeks after the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted, the lava that continues to flow from its interior continues to devastate everything in its path, destroying houses, infrastructure, and banana plantations. The production of Platanos de Canarias is the economic engine of the island, accounting for 50% of its GDP and 30% of the jobs on the island.
Turkey - Climate change may affect grape cultivation
A recent study has highlighted the impact of the climate crisis on viticulture in Turkey, predicting that the expected rise in temperatures and reduced rainfall could shift the suitability of vineyard regions for grape production over the next three decades.
Crop crisis reveals El Niño’s toll on Southern Africa
New findings from the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (Enso) reference group highlight the significant impact of the 2023/24 El Niño event on various aspects of climate and agriculture in Southern Africa.
Philippines - Crop losses reach P80M as drought hits Negros Oriental
As the El Niño phenomenon worsens in Negros Oriental, damage to rice, corn, and other high-value crops has reached more than PHP80.4 million, the Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) said Tuesday.
USA - Farmers say coverage has become unavailable or unaffordable as drought and floods increasingly threaten their crops
Farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables are often finding crop insurance prohibitively expensive — or even unavailable — as climate change escalates the likelihood of drought and floods capable of decimating harvests.
India - Telangana Minister assures financial support for rain-affected farmers
Telangana Excise and Prohibition Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has assured the farmers that the government is committed to providing financial help to the cultivators whose crops were damaged due to unseasonal rains.
Australia - Managing canola pests using beneficial insects, spiders and mites
Australian grain growers will benefit from improved pest management strategies with the commencement of two new research projects focusing on beneficial insects (beneficials) in canola.
USA - Early blooms indicate strong fruit year if frost, freeze can be avoided
Warm temperatures in late February and early March have led fruit trees across Virginia to blossom early. Based on what growers are seeing, the number of blooms indicate at banner crop. However, there is a risk a portion of that crop could be wiped out by a freeze or frost.
USA - As winters warm, Wisconsin fruit growers brace for the worst
On a cool, early spring morning in March, Liz Griffith stands among her apple trees, reaching to the very highest branches with a pole saw. Birds that have already returned north call to each other over the “snip snip” of shears, as Griffith and her staff prune through eight acres of apple trees on her orchard in Cottage Grove.