Editor, RE: “Insurance sector challenged to support agriculture sector” (The New Times, September 1”). If indeed Rwanda’s insurance penetration rate is about 3 per cent, as mentioned in the article, why do we accept this inertia? Rwandans have a saying that you cannot milk a cow you have not fed. In the same way banks and insurers in Rwanda should walk the talk. Are they waiting for an agricultural revolution that will usher in bankable and insurable projects? They should act now or never since the Government has leveled the ground for bankers and insurers through Girinka, coffee and tea planting…without forgetting milk and vegetable collection centres. Should we say it is “babysitting” that has created inertia? I personally say no when what works in Kenya, Uganda or South Africa doesn’t seem to be working in Rwanda. I propose more sticks than carrots to bankers and insurers. If long-term dividends are needed, deliberate efforts to support farmers are needed. It is an egg and chicken puzzle that demonstrates this. JK
