Agricultural Reforms in Mauritius: Transforming the Sugar Sector for Economic Resilience
Mauritius embarked on agricultural reforms as part of its Government Economic Reform Programme in 2006, with a focus on transforming the sugar sector and enhancing food security. The process involved organizational, legal, and policy changes aimed at improving performance measures and addressing challenges. Initiatives included the Multi-Annual Adaptation Strategy, cost reduction measures, and incorporation of result-oriented performance measures in various agricultural sectors. Challenges such as land abandonment and labor shortages were identified, with interventions like promoting hydroponics and launching a national breadfruit campaign to overcome them.
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Presentation by Mr Subiraj Jeebodhun ACCA Ministry of Finance and E D Republic of Mauritius July 2013 CABRI Agriculture Sector Dialogue - Dakar Senegal Country Presentation on Agricultural Reforms Background and rationale for the agricultural reform Process (organisational, legal, policy changes, etc) Results-oriented performance measures Challenges Results
Background and rationale for the agricultural reform Government Economic Reform Programme - Government launched a reform programme, in 2006, aimed at transforming the country into a competitive and resilient economy and widening opportunities for all. Sugar sector reform was part of the reform. Phasing out of the Sugar Protocol - The ACP-EU sugar protocol which offered ACP sugar-producing countries preferred access to the EU market, with annual quotas and guaranteed prices was phased out. There was a reduction in the export price of sugar. Food Security There was a need to focus more on food security so as to satisfy the growing needs of the country in terms of crop products and livestock products. Forestry and Biodiversity Maintain forest cover and preserve biodiversity.
The process (organisational, legal, policy changes, etc) Multi-Annual Adaptation Strategy (MAAS) 2006-2015 - Government of Mauritius s response to the changes in the Sugar Protocol to aid in the adaptation process and to take advantage of the package of accompanying measures offered by EU. Cost Reduction - Reduce costs of production through factory closures, centralisation and restructuring of the workforce. By-products Make efficient use of sugar by-products such as bagasse for producing energy. Poverty alleviation Contribute to poverty alleviation by establishing voluntary retirement and re-training programmes.
Incorporating a result-oriented performance measures Cane Industry :Transformation of the sugar industry into a cane industry with increased export potential for sugar and make other alternative use of cane by-products such as energy production. FORIP : Recovery and rehabilitation of abandoned lands under the Field Operations Regrouping and Irrigation Projects (FORIP). Crop Sector : Implementation of Food Security Fund Projects to increase local production of food crops, vegetables and fruits. Livestock Sector : Implementation of Food Security Fund Projects to increase local production of meat, milk and derived products. Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation : Maintainance of forest cover and natural reserves and preservation of biodiversity.
Challenges Cane Industry : Abandonment of land and lack of labour. Crop Sector : Increase local production of food crops, vegetables and fruits with greater application of hydroponics technology. Alternative Food : A national breadfruit campaign has been launched. Planters are being sensitised. The population is being encouraged to use breadfruit as an alternative food. Livestock Sector : Ageing farming community and labour force. Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation : Avoid reduction of forest cover and natural reserves and preserve all existing biodiversity. Emerging sectors : Establishment of a viable seed industry in Mauritius.
The results Cane Industry :The Mauritius Cane Industry Authority (MCIA) has been set up to maintain and consolidate the cane industry by merging institutions dependent on cess levied on sugar. Refined sugar Production and export of white refined sugar generate more revenue for the country. FORIP : Abandoned cane lands are being recovered and rehabilitated under the Field Operations Regrouping and Irrigation Projects. VRS : Voluntary Retirement Schemes (VRS) implemented Crop production : Farmers have been trained in crop production, crop protection and agro processing
