SEADRIF, together with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO) and the Thailand Government, held a consultation workshop for the Regional Agricultural Risk Finance Facility (ARFF) in Bangkok on August 15. This consultation was part of a broader regional effort involving six ASEAN countries to explore the establishment of an agricultural risk finance facility aimed at addressing challenges in the region’s agriculture sector.
SEADRIF’s Executive Director, Benedikt Signer, and Implementation and Program Development Specialist, Shannen Nicole Chua, presented on the ARFF concept note and its alignment with existing insurance products, highlighting how the facility could strengthen financial resilience in Southeast Asia’s agricultural sector. During the workshop, participants emphasized the need to increase awareness and knowledge in agriculture insurance as a cornerstone to the successful implementation of any agriculture insurance program.
In Thailand, the Thai National Crop Insurance Scheme (TNCIS) has scaled significantly, with 76% of the national rice area insured by 2020 through a public–private partnership model. New products and enhancements are underway, reinforcing its role as a foundation for broader regional collaboration.
SEADRIF is encouraged by the momentum fostered by these consultations, as advancing agricultural risk financing is critical to protecting vulnerable communities, stabilizing rural economies, and fostering long-term climate resilience across Southeast Asia. SEADRIF is committed to working closely with partners and clients to realize the joint vision of the regional ARFF.
