Dominica should introduce crop insurance, says DEXIA chief

The general manager of Dominica’s Export Import Agency (DEXIA) has suggested a crop insurance programme for farmers following the devastating caused by Hurricane Maria.

Gregoire Thomas said since 2015 farmers have faced a number disasters and have had a difficult time in picking up the pieces and starting all over again.

“Government has always responded positively, providing assistance with getting farmers back on their feet in reasonable time,” he stated.

“However, I believe now is an opportune time for us to broaden the partnership between insurance companies and governments to think seriously about crop insurance as we embark on the goal to build the first climate resilient country in the world.”

He was speaking at the launch of the Dominica Emergency Recovery Programme earlier this week.

Thomas noted that a crop insurance programme constitutes an important element in reaching that goal and is critical to the food security system.

“It allows farmers to remain competitive and provides a guarantee that should their crop be affected by natural disasters, they will have the ability to stay in business and go on to plant for the next season,” he explained.

He stated that even DEXIA, with its own support program, is experiencing risks associated with natural disasters since farmers – through no fault of theirs – are not able to deliver on their commitments to supply.

“This situation is compounded when as a result of disasters like Hurricane Maria they have little or no means to reinvest in their crops,” Thomas added.

He remarked that DEXIA is prepared to embark on a pilot programme to consider crop insurance, particularly with crops under its own production support programme.

“So I believe we need to make that shift in terms of providing some kind of buffer, some kind of risk management measure that can assist our farmers.