Mauritian Sugarcane Industry Faces Significant Land Abandonment

The Mauritian sugarcane industry is grappling with a longstanding issue of abandoned cultivation lands, a concern underscored by the Sugar Syndicate’s recent report.

This revealed a remarkable 52% surge in sugar prices to Rs 25,554 per tonne during the 2022 harvest.

Approximately 10,000 hectares of sugarcane land have been forsaken, potentially translating to around Rs 2 billion in revenue if sold at current prices.

Jacqueline Sauzier, Secretary-General of the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture, highlights multiple factors contributing to this trend, including economic viability, production costs, and environmental conditions.

Despite challenges, initiatives like the Crop Plantation Revolving Fund and soil health programs offer hope for the industry’s future.

Source: l’Express