Insurance as an Instrument of Agricultural Risk Management in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Abstract

Agricultural production in the Republic of Srpska is faced with numerous risks. However, little attention has been paid in the past, to the surveys of the agricultural risk management and insurance. After the general overview of basic risk types and risk management instruments in agriculture, the second part of the paper presents results on significance and acceptance of insurance services in the Republic of Srpska covering a five-year period (2010-2014). Based on the survey results, the authors conclude that although 88% of insurance companies do offer insurance products to farmers and 15% of farmers use the insurance products to manage their risks, this market segment is insignificant compared to the overall insurance market. In conclusion, the authors try to indicate the ways of stronger cohesion between farmers, insurance companies and government which would contribute to the establishment of integrated and sustainable risk management system in the agriculture of the Republic of Srpska.