Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Holds Agriculture Program
28th January 2026, Kathmandu
Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company Limited (SALICO) has successfully concluded a comprehensive agriculture insurance awareness and risk reduction program in the Udayapur district of Koshi Province. The event, held at Rautamai Municipality Ward No. 7 on Magh 12, 2082 (January 2026), marks a significant step toward integrating rural farming communities into the formal financial safety net. By focusing on the unique challenges faced by farmers in hilly terrains, the program aimed to transform insurance from a complex administrative requirement into a practical tool for daily risk management.
Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Agriculture
As climate change continues to disrupt traditional farming cycles in Nepal, Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance is prioritizing “Insurance Literacy” to ensure that local producers are not one disaster away from poverty. The initiative highlights the company’s commitment to the national goal of increasing insurance penetration in the agricultural sector, which remains the backbone of the Nepali economy.
Leadership and Local Engagement
The program was conducted under the chairmanship of Narayan Gautam, the Koshi Province Head for Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance. The presence of local government leadership, specifically Rautamai Municipality Ward No. 7 Chairperson Manoj Kumar Rana Magar as the chief guest, underscored the collaborative effort between the private sector and local authorities.
Facilitated by the Gaighat Branch Head, Dhan Bahadur Katuwal, the session saw active participation from approximately 40 individuals. This group included:
- Leading local farmers specializing in cash crops and livestock.
- Agriculture and livestock technicians from the municipality.
- Local representatives and cooperative members.
- Stakeholders dedicated to disaster risk reduction in Udayapur.
Deep Dive into Agriculture and Livestock Insurance
A central theme of the awareness program was the distinction between various insurance products tailored for the rural market. Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance experts explained that “Agriculture Insurance” is a broad category that covers several specific risks:
Livestock and Poultry Insurance: This protects farmers against the sudden death of cattle, goats, or poultry due to diseases, accidents, or natural calamities. Participants were informed about the subsidy provided by the Government of Nepal, which significantly reduces the premium burden on individual farmers.
Crop and Horticulture Insurance: Focusing on the district’s agricultural output, the program covered insurance for paddy, vegetables, and fruits. The coverage includes losses caused by hailstorms, floods, landslides, and droughts—risks that are particularly high in the Rautamai region.
Disaster and Fire Insurance: Given the geographical vulnerability of Udayapur, the company emphasized that insurance is the most effective tool for “Post-Disaster Recovery.” Instead of relying solely on government grants, insured farmers can receive timely compensation to restart their farming operations.
Technical Insights from Umesh Dhakal
Umesh Dhakal, the Head of the Agriculture and Livestock Department at Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance, provided a technical walkthrough of the insurance lifecycle. His presentation aimed to demystify the “fine print” that often prevents farmers from seeking coverage.
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Key technical aspects covered included:
Enrollment Process: How to correctly fill out proposal forms and the importance of tagging livestock for identification.
Documentation: The necessity of maintaining clear records, including photographs of the insured assets and certificates from local technicians.
Claim Timelines: Dhakal stressed that in the event of a loss, the insurance company must be notified within a specific timeframe (usually 3 to 15 days depending on the policy) to ensure a valid claim assessment.
Digital Integration: Brief mention was made of the company’s new software aimed at accelerating claim processing for rural customers.
Strategic Vision for Risk Resilience
Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance, formed through the high-profile merger of Sagarmatha and Lumbini General Insurance, now operates with an expanded capital base and a wider network of over 120 branches. This institutional strength allows the company to take on higher risks in the agricultural sector.
According to Koshi Province Head Narayan Gautam, these awareness programs are not one-off events. The company plans to replicate this model across other districts in the province, including Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, and Morang. By educating farmers to view insurance as a “preventive investment” rather than a “sunk cost,” SALICO aims to build a more resilient agricultural value chain in Nepal.
Conclusion
The successful agriculture insurance awareness program in Rautamai, Udayapur, is a testament to Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance’s proactive approach to community-based risk management. By bringing technical expertise directly to the farmers’ doorsteps, the company is helping to build a future where agricultural productivity is protected against the uncertainties of nature. As the 2082/83 fiscal year progresses, such initiatives will be crucial in ensuring that Nepal’s farmers can invest in their land with confidence and security.
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