The agricultural sector in Algeria is currently working to expand agricultural insurance coverage to include the various natural disasters resulting from climate change, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, said.
During a plenary session at the National People's Assembly (APN), Mr Oualid indicated that the National Agricultural Mutual Fund (CNMA) is working to develop and modernise its insurance products, reported Algerian Press Service.
The goal is to offer total protection against climate risks, through new adapted formulas covering all agricultural products, crops and livestock—in particular, cereal, which is one of the sectors most exposed to climate change.
A new insurance scheme against climate-related disasters has been proposed and "is currently under review". This scheme would complement the existing policies already offered by the CNMA through its local branches.
"CNMA will proceed with the launch of new insurance offers, taking into consideration the various problems and natural disasters to which farmers have frequently been exposed in recent years," according to the minister.
Mr Oualid drew attention to the worsening negative effects of climate change on the agricultural sector, including longer periods of drought, lower rainfall, rising temperatures, the proliferation of crop and animal diseases, and reduced production. These impacts primarily affect crops dependent on rain-fed irrigation systems.