Some 83,247 farmers in Negros Occidental have been enrolled in the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP) as of the end of 2021, based on the latest data of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
Dina Genzola, officer-in-charge of OPA, said in a statement yesterday through the initiative, the province aims to assist farmers affected by typhoons and allow them to start planting again.
The farmers, who plant rice, corn, and high-value crops and engage in fisheries, have insured a total of 93,374.84 hectares.
Of those enrolled, 45,415 recipients have received indemnity claims in the amount of P213.455 million, covering 43,367.09 hectares of damaged crops.
The latest beneficiaries are 428 farmers in Pontevedra town, who received P1.978 million worth of insurance claims during the distribution at the municipal gym on Wednesday.
The program was led by Genzola together with Fourth District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso and Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso.
Also known as the Agri-Fishery Insurance Program, the NFUCIP is a joint initiative between the Province of Negros Occidental and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
With agriculture as one of its priorities, the provincial government regularly provides funds to support the program to address the gaps in the agriculture sector brought by climate change that has been adversely affecting crop production and threatening the state of food security in the province.
Enrollment premium per cropping season is shouldered by the provincial government as a loan.
Including life insurance, the province pays P1,175 in enrollment premium per farmer to the PCIC.
Those enrolled are entitled to financial claims for damaged crops due to natural calamities, pests, and disease infestations. Each farmer can avail of a P17,000 claim per hectare of damaged farms.*PNA
