Cyclone Garance: The Hope & Agony of Mauritian Farmers

As the tempest of Cyclone Garance has swept through Mauritius, the island’s farmers find themselves navigating the complex waters of relief and concern. After enduring an extended period of drought, the arrival of rains brought with it both hope and apprehension.

Kreepalloo Sunghoon, the President of the Small Planters Association, shared the silver lining that emerged amidst the storm’s onslaught.

“The rainfall we’ve seen has been beneficial for our crops, particularly in the northern regions,” he explained with cautious optimism.

“Until now, the rain has not been excessive, allowing the soils to absorb much-needed moisture.”

The long-awaited rains are poised to give new life to the fields.

Farmers who have held off on planting due to the parched conditions can now resume their work, sowing and nurturing fresh seedlings.

This revival could spell a promising uptick in yields in the days ahead — a light at the end of a very dry tunnel.

Yet, not all has been well in the wake of the cyclone.

Some areas have experienced significant water accumulation, leading to the unfortunate loss of vegetables that were ripe for harvest and destined for local markets.

This unwelcome turn of events is likely to exert continued pressure on both supply and prices, which were already on the rise prior to the cyclone’s arrival.

According to forecasts from the Small Planters Association, consumers can anticipate a price hike of 10 to 15 per cent in the coming week.

However, Sunghoon assured that this increase is expected to be short-lived.

“The positive effects of the rain should become evident in 15 to 20 days,” he reassured, hinting at better times ahead.

In the meantime, shoppers are urged to exercise caution in their purchases.

Vegetables that have suffered under adverse weather conditions may deteriorate more quickly.

Markets, both large and small, reported a noticeable decrease in vegetable availability lately, a direct consequence of the disturbances brought about by Cyclone Garance.

Source: l’Express