Dear RFILC members,

We are maintaining our promise given at the beginning of the year that we are not only introducing the redesigned site, but also evolved site in its content. This month, we would like to bring to your attention a newly created section named Agricultural Insurance.

Agricultural insurance is important financial tool for transferring production risk associated with farming to a third party through premium payment. Driving force that stands behind various types of agricultural insurance is the risk that restrains investment and contributes to vulnerability of the small farmers. Accordingly, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) report “Agricultural Livelihoods and Crop Insurance in India”, has been prepared in the framework of the study project “Identifying feasible concepts for enhancing rural. Insurance services and literacy in India”. This report is an input for the preparation of a new development cooperation project on Risk Reduction through Rural Insurance Services. Additionally,  “Agricultural Insurance Training – Manual and Lesson Plans” is intended to introduce smallholder farmers to the concept on how farmers can mitigate the risks that are associated with farming.

Finally, the Micro, SME, and Housing Finance Summer Academy 2015 will take place in Frankfurt, Germany from July 5-10, 2015. The academy seeks not only to equip participants with profound technical know-how in one of four possible elective subjects: risk and financial management, SME banking, rural finance and housing finance, but also to coach participants on leadership and negotiation skills. The application deadline for the course is May 31, 2015.

With best regards,

The RFILC editorial team