Ginger Blight: Pula Advisors, Leadway Assurance Pay N110m Claims to Farmers in Kaduna

James Emejo in Abuja       

Pula Advisors AG in partnership with Leadway Assurance Company Limited, Heifer International, and AFEX Commodity Exchange, has facilitated payment of claims amounting to N110 million to farmers in Kaduna State, following the recent outbreak of the ginger blight disease which ravaged large hectares of their farmlands in 2023.

A total of 1,138 ginger farmers, who suffered 100 per cent harvest loss due to the attacks were verified for compensation in respect of their losses during the 2023 Wet Season Insurance Claims Pay-out ceremony under the “Naija Unlock Signature Programme” yesterday in Abuja.

The programme is coordinated by Heifer in conjunction with AFEX and its network of rice, maize, soya and ginger smallholder farmers across Niger, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Kebbi and Jigawa States, with Leadway Assurance as being the lead insurer.

Head, Regional Technical Services, Agriculture and Micro Scheme Specialist, Leadway Assurance, Speaking Notes for Mr. Ayoola Fatona, said, “Today’s payment follows in our culture of being the highest claims paying company in the insurance industry with more than N200 billion paid in the last five years.

“Today’s claims pay-out will go a long way in benefiting hundreds of farmers who will receive compensation for their losses in one way or the other and to ensure that they remain in the business of crop production.

“Our success here today can be attributed to the combined efforts of all our partners with Pula Advisors streamlining the claims process, Heifer international pre-financing insurance premiums with a post-harvest repayment option for farmers, and AFEX Commodity Exchange supporting smallholder farmers and food production through innovative models.”