Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Minister Flavien Joubert resumes routine consultative visits on La Digue and Praslin   |10 August 2021

Minister Joubert during his meeting on La Digue

Hears farmers concerns, discusses possible land allocation at l’Union for livestock farming

The chairperson of La Digue Farmers’ Association, key representatives from the government and L’Union Estate management have met with Minister Flavien Joubert to discuss the possible allocation of potential agricultural land at L’Union Estate for livestock farming.

Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Flavien Joubert was on La Digue and Praslin on Saturday where he resumed his routine consultations with different actors on the two islands and heard different concerns in relation to agricultural production.

These visits were halted due to Covid-19 restrictions on the two Islands.

During the meeting on La Digue, the importance of having an access road as well as a reliable water supply system to feed the farming communities were discussed.

Other than the chairperson of the farmers’ association Roger Morel, others who took part in the discussions were the chief executive of L’Union Estate Gustave Delpech, chief executive of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA) Linetta Estico, MNA Noline Sophola, constituency clerk Christine Rose, liaison officer for La Digue Loncy Micock and two technicians from the SAA.

On Praslin, Minister Joubert chaired a meeting with the chairman of the Baie Ste Anne Farmers’ Association Anel Marie. Mr Marie was updated on the main issues discussed in the recent meeting conducted with other associations on Mahe last month.

Mr Marie raised certain concerns which are currently affecting farmers on Praslin including the latest infestation of the pest Tuta absoluta which is affecting tomatoes.

To conclude his visit, Minister Joubert stopped at Anse Kerlan to inspect the recently completed coastal rock armouring project there.

He was accompanied by the newly appointed principal secretary for climate change and energy   Rebecca Loustau-Lalande, director general for climate change division Selvan Pillay and senior climate adaptation officer Annie Siméon.

Discussions centred on the design and implementation of the second phase of the rock armouring project to help protect the coastline and road along the coast. The project is expected to start before the end of the year.

Contributed