Building climate resilience for India’s cotton farmers: insurance’s role?

India is the world’s largest producer of cotton – accounting for nearly a quarter of global production. However, its position as a critical player in the global textile supply chain is increasingly threatened by climate change. Heatwaves and periods of erratic rainfall are becoming more frequent and are lasting longer – posing a serious risk for a major sector of its economy.

Smallholder cotton farmers are particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis, putting millions of livelihoods at stake. Small-scale farmers urgently need protection from the already existing effects of climate change, as well as to enhance their ability to face future shocks. Crop insurance, which is currently not widely used, is a mechanism that could help manage the risks of an uncertain future, but many questions remain about its affordability and effectiveness in its current form.

This event on 27 June will discuss a recent study that explored cotton farmers’ vulnerabilities, perceptions and responses to climate and other shocks, as well as current and potential use of insurance.

Featuring
Reema Nanavaty, director, SEWA
Mihir Bhatt, director, AIDMI
Ayandev Saha, lead, Climate Risk Insurance, K.M. Dastur & Company Limited
Vaishali Bahel, Sustainable Cotton Programme, Primark
Speaker from Howden Insurance Group (tbc)
Alejandro Guarín, principal researcher, IIED (moderator)