March 10, 2010

Kenya farmers get low-tech micro-insurance

Photo courtesy KickStart, Kenya.jpeg Drought usually spells disaster for small-scale farmers in Kenya. Innovative low-threshold technologies for the first time are empowering farmers to lower their weather risks by purchasing cheap micro-insurance policies. Afrol News reports.

quotemarksright.jpgThe programme, called "Kilimo Salama," which in Kiswahili means "safe farming," is a partnership between the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, UAP Insurance, and telecoms operator Safaricom.

... Agro-dealers have been equipped with a camera phone that scans a special bar code at the time of purchase, which immediately registers the policy with UAP Insurance over the Safaricom's mobile data network. This mobile phone application then sends a text (SMS) message confirming the insurance policy to the farmer's mobile phone.quotesmarksleft.jpg

Read full article. Image from Kiwanja net.