R4 saw a one percent growth in the number of farmers
insured in 2019, with this year’s focus being on
consolidating the gains achieved so far in existing
countries and preparing for next year’s geographical
expansion. In Ethiopia, the initiative reached over 28,000
farmers (42 percent women) with microinsurance. This year,
activities focused on building the index design capacity
of local stakeholders in the country and defining the
steps for handing over design and distribution of
microinsurance products to the local insurance companies
from 2020 onwards. Under the Satellite Index Insurance for
Pastoralist in Ethiopia (SIIPE), 7,816 pastoralists
accessed index-based livestock insurance in the Somali
region of Ethiopia. In Senegal, a total of 8,206 farmers
(52 percent women) were insured this season. In Malawi, R4
insured 37,891 farmers (71 percent women) for the 2019/20
season and is piloting a hybrid index insurance product in
three districts, that brings together Weather Index
Insurance (WII) with Area Yield Index Insurance (AYII),
providing farmers with a more comprehensive insurance
coverage. In Zambia, no new insurance enrolments were
undertaken, following recommendations made by the Mid-Term
Review (MTR) of the R4 Programme in Southern Africa
commissioned by the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation (SDC), with WFP Zambia now focusing on
consolidating the gains obtained so far and supporting
sustainability plans. In Kenya, a total of 8,862 farmers
(85 percent women) were insured for the 2019 Short Rains
season. In Zimbabwe, R4 insured 1,651 farmers (66 percent
women) and expanded to three additional wards. In addition
to microinsurance, Zimbabwe became the first-ever country
in Southern Africa to test the ARC Replica instrument in
collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe and the
African Risk Capacity (ARC) Ltd.
