Is the Agricultural Insurance Program of the Philippines Serving the Poor?

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The need for an effective insurance program for the Philippine agricultural sector cannot be overemphasized enough given the effects of calamities and other perils. This Policy Note seeks to assess the coverage, product lines, and premium structure of the current Agricultural Insurance Program (AIP), a government-managed insurance that provides protection to various agricultural producers against production losses. Among other results, the study found the penetration rate of the AIP to be low. It likewise noted several instances that raise question on the capacity of the program to prioritize the needs of marginalized rice and corn farmers. It recommends the streamlining of the program processes to enhance efficiency and to minimize leakages. It also calls for the crafting of policies and support mechanisms to strengthen the coverage of marginalized subsistence farmers and the underserved regions like Bicol region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.