NYAGATARE - In order to help cattle farmers restock their animals in case of injury or death, SONARWA, this week, launched a livestock insurance  scheme in Nyagatare district.

According to SANARWA officials, the new insurance, the first of its kind, will insure cattle against diseases, accidents, lightning and fire, among others.

Dr. Olivier Rwakazina, from SONARWA’s animal insurance department , urged residents to embrace the cover.

"You will be contributing a small amount of money ,and in case your livestock dies, we will compensate you,” he said.

All animals to be insured must be in good health from the age of six months for cattle, and have identification tags, according to SONARWA.

Rwakazina added that livestock insurance can be used as a guarantee in case a farmer seeks a loan.

Dominique Kanyeshuli, the head of marketing at the insurance company explained that a farmer will pay 6% of the animal’s value.

However, farmers complained that the insurance premium is still high and requested SONARWA to revise it.

"The cattle insurance is timely, but this premium is high considering our income. SONARWA would have reduced it to at least 2%,” Elisa Mugiraneza, one of the farmers said in an interview.

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