Pig Insurance - An Exploratory Research in Mid Hills and Inner Terai of Nepal

This study was carried out in 2016 in Makawanpur and Nawalparasi districts from Inner Terai, and, Kaski and Kathmandu from mid hills to explore the issues of pig insurance in Nepal. From each district, 30 pig farming households were selected using multistage proportionate random sampling techniques irrespective of their size of holdings. The total sample size was thus, 120. Result showed, in an overall, 43 % of the respondents had knowledge about livestock insurance, 30 % of the respondents were aware about pig insurance and only 13 % of the respondent had insured their pig enterprise. Farmers in the study area insured their pigs due to fear of piglet mortality. Farmers perceived that small-scale production, poor knowledge on pig insurance, lengthy and difficult official procedure, lack of agent or insurance company nearby, and difficulty in selling pigs were the major reasons prohibiting pig insurance. With favorable situation and easy procedure, if availed, 86 % of the responded showed willingness to participate in pig insurance program in future. Therefore, quick settlement of claims, insurance service at doorsteps, raised indemnity percentage and awareness about pig insurance were the major suggestions for improving pig insurance in Nepal