Hailstorm struck four sectors of Musanze District on Wednesday evening, causing damage to crops and over 200 houses. According to the Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, Axelle Kamanzi, at least 228 houses were damaged, with 197 of them losing iron sheets due to hail in Nyange sector alone.

Additionally, about 20 hectares of crops were damaged, mainly Irish potatoes, and the road from INES Ruhengeri to Kinigi sector was also affected.

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The hailstorm is said to have intensified this year compared to previous years due to climate change. The Northern volcanic region, where Musanze is located, is responsible for over 80% of national potato production, and farmers are being advised to take up crop insurance to mitigate the risk of such disasters.

Increased rainfall

The predicted rainfall from March 21 to March 31 will be associated with thunderstorms (storm with thunder, lightning, heavy rain or hail) in many parts of the country according to the Weather agency.

Higher amount of rainfall is expected to range between 150 and 180 mm over eastern and northern parts of Rusizi and Rubavu Distcts, many parts of Nyamasheke District and western parts of Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyabihu and Musanze Districts.

Moderate to strong wind speed ranging between 4 and 10 m/s is expected across the country while impacts related to soil erosion, river flooding, and landslides are expected.

"Farmers are advised to continue with the agriculture activities and control soil erosion,” said the forecaster.

Low uptake of crop insurance

Although the government pays 40 per cent of crop and livestock insurance costs as a subsidy, the insurance uptake is still low.

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In 2021/22, only 27,968 hectares of crops were insured against losses caused by disasters such as floods, heavy rain, drought, hail, wind, erosion and landslide, pests and diseases as well as fire outbreak.

Rice, Maize and Irish potatoes were the most insured.

According to Joseph Museruka, Program Manager at National Agriculture Insurance Scheme in the ministry of agriculture and animals resources, the insured crops include maize, maize seed multiplication, rice, Irish potatoes, pepper, French beans, cassava, beans and soybean.

For Irish Potatoes, he said, Rwf2.3 million is invested per one hectare adding that the required insurance fee per hectare is Rwf191,560 of which the government pays Rwf76,000 or 40 per cent while the farmer pays Rwf114,000.

This means that the required insurance fee is 8 per cent of the total investment per hectare.

Over 30,000 hectares are expected to be insured in 2022/23 and 37,000 hectares by 2024.

Government seeks to invest Rwf25 billion in crop and livestock insurance in the next five years.

Since 2019, over Rwf2.5 billion was paid as compensation to farmers affected by disasters.