SEARCA and PhilRice present results of the Agricultural Insurance Project to the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation BOD

  • 5 March 2015

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Results of the SEARCA-PhilRice project titled Improving the Agricultural Insurance Program to Enhance Resilience to Climate Change: Evidence from Rice and Corn Production in the Philippines were presented by the project team to the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) on 25 February 2015. Dr. Jose M. Yorobe of the UPLB College of Economics and Management together with Dr. Bessie M. Burgos and Ms. Pilipinas M. Luis of SEARCA reported on the corn component. Ms. Imelda A. Arida of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) reported on the rice component.

The project aimed to analyze how Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) adoption among rice and corn farmers could be implemented to complement the enhancement of agricultural insurance system in the Philippines. More specifically, the project identified existing and matured GAP technologies related to pest and disease resilience in rice and corn production. It also determined the extent of awareness of farmers about these technologies and analyzed uptake patterns and identified the psychological, socioeconomic and demographic determinants of GAP adoption. Furthermore, it assessed the perception and level of awareness on crop insurance system mechanisms among rice and corn farmers and identified appropriate policy recommendations and intervention measures to improve adoption of GAP and the formulation and effectiveness of agricultural insurance program.

Results of the project could be used by PCIC to improve the traditional agricultural and weather-based insurance systems for a better program package that will entice farmers to avail of the insurance program. These could also guide other Southeast Asian countries, as PCIC is the pioneer government agency in the agriculture insurance program in the region.

Published reports are necessary step in the dialogue with other scientists and policy makers about the approach and significance of research studies. Thus, PCIC will partner with SEARCA and PhilRice in the publication and dissemination of the project results. (Pilipinas M. Luis)