Mauritius: The government is determined to continue its efforts for relieving planters from the numerous challenges as well as promoting food security in the country, stated the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Maneesh Gobin, today, at Triolet.
He was speaking at the inauguration of a new filtration plant and a sub-office of the Irrigation Authority. The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training, Soodesh Callichurn; the Private Parliamentary Secretary (PPS), Sharvanand Ramkaun; and the Chairman of the Irrigation Authority Board, Dheenal Dhuny, were also present.
Minister Gobin stated that the new filtration plant, to the tune of Rs 25 million, will ensure a reliable supply of good quality water and will relieve planters from irrigation problems. The plant, he mentioned, comprises a modern technology filtration system equipped with automatic backwashing and remote-control mechanism for headwork operation. He indicated that the sub-office will be responsible for the injection of chlorine in the water and will assist planters in irrigation activities.
He observed that the system will benefit around 450 planters in the region and over 380 arpents of land under cultivation for sugarcane and vegetables. He stressed that the government is sensitive to the plight and challenges of planters and provides several incentives to help planters continue to invest in sugar cane cultivation.
The Minister spoke of the increase in the price of sugar per ton amounting to around Rs 30,000 and urged more planters to engage in sugarcane cultivation as the price of sugar is expected to continue to increase on the international market.
For his part, Minister Callichurn dwelt on the concept of job contracting for the agricultural sector to deal with the lack of labour and high costs for foreign workers. He explained that labour will now be available to planters with the help of job contractors, who will be encouraged to recruit a pool of agricultural workers, including foreign workers.
Government, he remarked, came up with all these measures to give a new dynamism to the agricultural sector, decrease dependence on imports and promote self-sufficiency.
As for PPS Ramkaun, he underscored the need to use water efficiently and avoid wastage. He also spoke of promoting agricultural diversification and encouraging local production.