Agricultural insurer Achmea Australia will offer premium discounts to cotton growers who engage in sustainable farming methods.

The premium incentive is part of the insurer’s strategic alliance with Cotton Australia.

To qualify for the discount, cotton growers must be certified through the Best Management Practices program (myBMP), Cotton Australia’s voluntary farm and environmental management program.

The program provides cotton growers with tools to keep pesticide use to a minimum, maximise water use efficiency as well as protect and retain native animals and vegetation.

Other tools are aimed at reducing input costs and developing safer farm workplaces.

Achmea CEO Emma Thomas says the insurer and Cotton Australia have a shared interest in helping cotton farmers to succeed.

“With a vision to protect and enhance agricultural communities, we see enormous value in working alongside the cotton industry to promote the importance of risk awareness and loss mitigation measures,” she said.

“Aligned with our purpose of keeping farmers farming, we are proud to support myBMP-certified growers because they are best practice-certified in workplace health and safety initiatives, thereby protecting their livelihoods.”

Achmea says the premium discount is offered through its All-in-One Farm Pack product.