The average annual temperature was 12.9916°C, making 2024 the warmest year in Romania's history of meteorological measurements. According to official statistics from the National Meteorological Administration, the number of scorching days continues to increase yearly. Agra Asigurări, the leading company in Romania specializing exclusively in agricultural insurance, is meticulously analyzing the adverse effects of extreme weather events on the development of agricultural businesses.
"The heatwave poses a serious threat to farmers, with varied effects on crops, soil, and available water resources. High temperatures above the heat stress threshold (30-35°C for most plants) reduce photosynthesis and accelerate evapotranspiration, leading to water stress. Crops such as maize, sunflowers, and wheat are among the most affected. Heat also affects crop quality. For example, heat stress can cause pollen sterility in maize, decreasing the number of kernels per cob. In vines, heat waves can affect the sugar content and grapes acidity," says Horia-Adrian Lupu, the General Manager of Agra Asigurări.
Hot weather conditions favor pest multiplication and accelerate soil water evaporation, reducing soil fertility. Moreover, "heat affects river levels and water tables, limiting farmers' access to irrigation, a critical problem for agriculture," adds Horia-Adrian Lupu.
In this context, farmers can adopt several measures to minimize the impact of heat waves, such as using drought-resistant varieties, adapted cultivation technologies, or drip irrigation systems. Agricultural insurance is also becoming essential for managing climate risks, being a vital safety net for farmers.
"First and foremost, insurance provides financial protection. In the case of heatwave losses, insurance offers compensation to help farmers maintain economic viability. Second, insurance helps stimulate investment. With disaster protection, farmers can invest in modern technology and business expansion. Financial stability ensures the viability and longevity of agribusinesses, preventing the accumulation of long-term economic losses. Agricultural insurance policies serve precisely this purpose, protecting and compensating the farmer in the event of damage caused by extreme weather events," says Iulia Parapianu, Deputy General Manager of Agra Asigurări.
Agra Asigurări offers farmers two insurance products to protect their crops in case of heatwaves. Drought Index insurance "offers flexibility by allowing the selection of the reference ATU (Administrative-Territorial Unit) closest to the cultivated areas. The amount insured per hectare and the compensation for damage caused by rainfall shortage and heat days are distributed proportionally over the vegetation phases," emphasizes Iulia Parapianu.
The field-rated drought risk insurance for grain maize, offered under the Agrar Basis insurance, provides farmers financial protection and stability during increasingly frequent extreme weather conditions. Underwriting for this risk is available until April 15 of the current crop year.
"In an increasingly vulnerable agricultural context, crop protection is essential to ensure the continuity and profitability of agricultural businesses," says Horia-Adrian Lupu.
