(a) What is agricultural insurance? [2 mark ] (b) Explain briefly the following types of insurance policies for agricultural production: (i) Specific enterp...

Answer Details

(a) Agricultural insurance

Agricultural insurance is a contract in which a farmer pays a regular sum of money called a premium to an insurance company, and in return the company agrees to compensate the farmer against losses arising from stated risks such as fire, flood, drought, pest and disease outbreak or death of animals. It spreads the risk of farming so that a single disaster does not ruin the farmer.

(b) Types of insurance policies

1. Specific enterprise insurance: covers only a particular named farm enterprise, for example a poultry unit, a fish pond or a cocoa plantation. The farmer is compensated only for losses affecting that stated enterprise.
2. Fire disaster insurance: protects the farmer against losses caused by outbreak of fire that may destroy farm buildings, stored produce, machinery or standing crops. The company pays the agreed value of the property destroyed by fire.
3. Life assurance: covers the life of the farmer or key farm worker. On the death of the assured person, or on reaching an agreed age, the insurance company pays the agreed sum to the beneficiaries or to the assured.

(c) Process of egg formation in a hen

1. The ovary releases a mature ovum (yolk) into the funnel-shaped infundibulum, where fertilisation takes place if sperm are present.
2. The yolk moves into the magnum, where the thick albumen (egg white) is added over several hours.
3. It then passes into the isthmus, where the two shell membranes are formed around the albumen.
4. In the uterus (shell gland) water and mineral salts are added and the hard, calcareous egg shell together with its shell pigment is deposited; this is the longest stage.
5. Finally the completed egg passes through the vagina and cloaca and is laid through the vent, usually blunt end first.