OVER 10,000 households engaged in coffee production in
Kilimanjaro Region have benefited from health insurance
facilities introduced and coordinated by the Kilimanjaro
Native Cooperative Society (KNCU).
“By the end of this year, the number is expected to grow to 28,000
family members who will be enjoying health insurance services,”
remarked Mr Godfrey Massawe, KNCU Commercial Manager in
an interview held in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region last week.
He added: “Our target is to serve 375,000 family members by the
end of 2014.” KNCU is a co-operative union that produces and
exports mild Arabica coffee of Bourborn and Kent variety from the
region. It serves small producer members in four districts, namely
Rombo, Moshi Rural, Hai and Siha.
Mr Massawe said the department of Health Plan was established
specifically to run the KNCU Health Plan project which is an
insurance scheme launched in August 2010. The department
prepares implements and evaluates the provision of health
insurance to its members.
Currently, the project covers 23 primary cooperative societies with
a view to serve all members of KNCU with the insurance scheme
by end of next year. The project operates in partnership with the
Harm Access Foundation (PharmAccess), MicroEnsure, MEMS,
EnviroCare, KCMC and ACORD.
In the meantime, Mr Massawe said coffee production has in recent
years dropped massively due to various reasons, forcing farmers to
opt for other economic activities. Some of the problems emanate
from the two major factors, namely climate change effect and the
move by KNCU to stop supplying agricultural inputs to its farmers.
The situation has forced coffee producers to procure inputs
directly from their own pockets which is largely determined by
the income level. “In actual sense, coffee is only profitable to those
who apply correct management in production irrespective of price
fluctuation,” he said.
Source - Tanzania Daily News