Remote Sensing for Index Insurance: Findings and Lessons Learned for Smallholder Agriculture
Limited availability, accessibility, quantity and poor quality of data on the ground are some of the primary technical constraints preventing scale-up and sustainability of index insurance. Data were the focus of the project “Improving Agricultural Risk Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Remote Sensing for Index Insurance”.
This publication details the project, which investigated overcoming issues with ground data by testing innovative remote sensing methodologies. It describes the different remote sensing options and opportunities available for index insurance, but it also recommends further investment in research and development, supplementary ground data, and capacity-building going forward.
The project was financed by Agence Française de Développement with an additional contribution from the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office and was carried out by the Weather Risk Management Facility of the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Food Programme. The Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) provided significant contributions and support throughout the project.
For a summary of key information for people working in the insurance community, agricultural development and government, please refer to Remote sensing for index insurance: An overview of findings and lessons learned for smallholder agriculture.