Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in a country. However, for many nations, it is also the most prone to disaster. Aside from the low productivity rate, climate change has brought about extreme weather events, such as typhoons and drought, that destroy crops. With this, the importance of crop insurance comes to light.
Crop insurance can help farmers begin farming again after a calamity. However, the current process of insurance claims settlement can take a long time and is difficult for agents to complete. In addition to these, the extended processing time can add to further losses for the farmers.
I believe that by having blockchain-based insurance, the process of applying for crop insurance and claiming said insurance can be made simpler. This technology uses smart contracts on a blockchain. Blockchain-based insurance can offer benefits based on a rainfall level, the predetermined index, in case of loss of assets and investments from weather or catastrophic events. The claim will be automatically settled when the index reaches a certain level. This eliminates the need for manual verification and reduces costs, speeding up the claims settlement process. Given the open and transparent nature of the blockchain, it is more credible that the claims payouts will be accurate.
However, as useful as this may be, there are still many challenges in implementing this technology. Aside from the low acceptance rate of insurance in many countries, the cost of applying for such insurance is another thing to consider. Furthermore, farmers usually don’t have access to digital services.
Nonetheless, I trust that as time goes by, blockchain technology, including blockchain-based insurance, will become more accessible and more affordable to even the simplest of individuals. Technological advancements have always been met with challenges. This is no different.