6,000 Hectares Abandoned: Minister Advocates Supporting Measures to Small Planters

In an unannounced visit to the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority (MCIA) on December 3, Agro-Industry Minister Arvin Boolell sought to identify strategies to encourage small-scale farmers to remain engaged in sugarcane cultivation and return to farming. This critical issue was discussed in detail with MCIA Director Luckraj Jhurry and Suman Seeruttun, Director of the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI), among others.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to prepare a position paper outlining the current state of the industry along with concrete proposals to be submitted to the minister by the end of the year.

This year, sugar production in Mauritius is projected to be approximately 223,000 tonnes.

Of this, between 180,000 and 200,000 tonnes consisting of specialty sugars, which are sold at prices higher than the current global market rates for white sugar.

Additionally, an annual import of around 42,000 tonnes of brown sugar is brought in by Omnicane from Brazil for refining during the off-season, intended for both local markets and exports to COMESA member countries.

One of the significant challenges facing the sugar industry for many years has been the abandonment of agricultural land, with approximately 6,000 hectares left uncultivated each year.

Existing incentive measures have failed to achieve the desired outcomes, leading to a continued decline in the number of small planters.

This is highlighting the urgent need to explore new solutions to stem the loss of farmers in the sector.

During the meeting, several proposals were put forward, including the need to index the price of bagasse (the fibrous residue from sugarcane) to the biomass market.

This approach could potentially increase the income of farmers.

Additionally, labor shortages pose a significant challenge to production, prompting discussions about the possibility of importing labor.

The MCIA is expected to play a role in developing a mechanism for recruiting foreign workers to assist farmers and address issues related to labor contracting.

“We have very talented individuals and excellent institutions in our country. It is essential to motivate them,” Minister Boolell remarked.

“We have observed a lack of oversight in the past, and there has been insufficient connectivity among stakeholders to foster positive dynamism.

This is why the Ministry of Agro-Industry has commissioned a study to be conducted with the assistance of two expert consultants.

The aim is to integrate the concepts of green economy, blue economy, and food security. We want all stakeholders to be actively involved.

Our goal is to rehabilitate abandoned lands by laying out a clear pathway for action.

Therefore, I have requested the MCIA and MSIRI to collaborate on a position paper with all relevant stakeholders.”

Minister Boolell emphasized the need to optimize cane production, stating that the ideal output should reach around 300,000 tonnes annually.

He reiterated that without a clear and precise roadmap, achieving the goal of 60% renewable energy by 2030 would be challenging.

Source: Le Mauricien