Yes! “Farmers Need Coverage Too!” That was the title of an article I wrote a few months ago. Sagicor took a great step in providing the opportunity for farmers and fisherfolk to have access to health insurance benefits. As farmers, children or friends of farmers, many of us were elated and were ambitiously hoping for more insurance providers to come on board.
Just a few weeks after Sagicor launched their insurance plan, Guardian Life took the smart and bold step to launch their Fisheries and Agricultural Multi-Advantage (FAMA) Insurance plan. Some of the benefits are access to doctor’s visits, hospitalization, dental, maternity, prescription drugs, surgical, Critical Illnesses, Personal Accidents, and Group Life insurance.
To benefit from this plan you must of course be registered with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) as a farmer or the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) as fisherfolk. To top it off, policyholders under the plan will have access to the Guardian’s Wellness Programme. The program provides health screening for several illnesses using its Medical Mobile Unit.
The fact that there are two options from which to choose a health insurance plan for farmers and fisherfolk, a minority group amongst other careers, is an indication of the direction that the agriculture sector is heading in. Yes, I will say there is a shimmer of light around the dark cloud. There is hope for better opportunities for farming in Jamaica.
Farmers taking the right route in getting registered, formalizing their farm, and gravitating to opportunities such as these will bring nothing but greater security for the farmer and his/her family. Farmers have coverage options too!
