Former schoolteacher Salaseini Litidamu Koroi from Buabua in Lautoka transitioned to sugarcane farming after her retirement in 2013. Another dedicated farmer, Subamma from Mataniwai in Tavua, has cultivated sugarcane for over 29 years. Recently, these two women became among the first beneficiaries of a new parametric micro insurance program, designed to offer financial protection to smallholder farmers severely impacted by extreme weather conditions.
The insurance initiative has proven to be a vital support for these women, who collectively boast 40 years of farming experience and have endured the challenges posed by severe weather events that devastate crops and disrupt livelihoods. Subamma shared her story of resilience after losing her entire crop due to flooding between 2018 and 2021, shortly after taking over the farm following her husband’s passing in 2018.
In Lautoka, where Ms. Koroi resides, the climate has also shifted recently. Despite the region’s traditionally hot and sunny weather, she has observed a decline in cane production. The once-favorable conditions have become inconsistent, characterized by heavy rains that hinder crop growth crucial for sugarcane’s sweetness.
To address these challenges, Ms. Koroi joined the parametric micro insurance program, which now covers a range of climate-related events, including flooding and drought. Unlike its initial offering restricted to wind damage, this upgraded insurance will better protect her crops against the changing climate.
The parametric micro insurance approach, supported by the UNDP, UN Capital Development Fund, and various international partners, has gained traction in vulnerable communities across Fiji. Originally launched as a pilot project in 2021, it has expanded its reach, now providing coverage to 25,000 households, thereby enhancing the resilience of families facing climate change impacts.
As Fiji leads the way in implementing this initiative, it sets a precedent for other Pacific nations, emphasizing the urgency to support the most vulnerable populations in adapting to climate change. RBF Governor Ariff Ali highlighted the necessity of empowering these communities to not just survive but thrive amidst the challenges ahead.
In conclusion, the rollout of the parametric micro insurance is a hopeful step toward safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers like Koroi and Subamma, reflecting a commitment to addressing the pressing realities of climate change and improving resilience in affected communities.
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