Farmers shun insurance project

HCM CITY — The agricultural insurance programme that has been piloted since last July has yet to become popular.

The three-year programme, which seeks to help farmers overcome losses caused by natural disasters and epidemics, covers three main categories – rice, livestock (buffalo, cows, pigs and poultry), and aquaculture (tra and basa fish, black tiger shrimp, and white leg shrimp) – and is being implemented in 21 cities and provinces.

Under it, the Government fully subsidises insurance premium payments for poor farmers, 80 per cent for those living near the poverty line, and 60 per cent for those with an average income.

Production units buying agricultural insurance get 20 per cent support.