120 rural women farmers insured against extreme weather
Toriann Ellis / Our Today
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Minister of Information Dana Morris-Dixon has outlined that 120 rural women farmers are now insured against extreme weather.
Jamaica is vulnerable to extreme weather, particularly in the agricultural sector on which many citizens depend. Minister Morris-Dixon emphasised that this initiative is crucial for protecting the livelihoods of women farmers.
“That’s very important because we have seen the impact of weather events on our farmers, and these 120 women farmers have benefited from the Parametric Insurance Coverage to protect their livelihoods from extreme weather events,” the minister said.
Parametric insurance in Jamaica provides rapid, predetermined payouts for businesses and farmers based on triggered weather events (wind, rain, earthquakes) rather than damage assessments, enabling quick liquidity within days of disasters.
Key coverage options include CCRIF SPC (formerly the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility) for government or utilities, and specialised micro-insurance like Climate Guard for farmers, supporting resilience against increasing hurricane or flood risks.
Minister Dixon further outlined that the parametric insurance is where farmers get a payout depending on something happening.
“So, for example, if there is rainfall above this amount, you will get a payment. So it’s not just whether there is rainfall, it has to reach a particular parameter. And so that is what we have been able to negotiate as government”
This support she announced is provided through the Roots Resilience Parametric Insurance Programme, facilitated under the Grace Kennedy Weather Protection Programme and was rolled out under the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green.
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