Agriculture minister reaffirms support for local farmers during visits to several farms |18 August 2021

With the aim to better understand the various concerns raised by both livestock and crop farmers and to identify solutions to support them so they can further increase local production, Minister Flavien Joubert visited several farms on Friday.

The Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment’s first stop was at Hudson Philo’s farm at Le Niole where he was welcomed by Mr Philo himself as well as the member of the National Assembly for the Bel Ombre district, Hon. Sandy Arrisol.  

Other than the numerous challenges he is facing, Mr Philo took the opportunity to share some of his many ideas to Minister Joubert which he hopes will help boost local production, considering the impact of climate change.

“I am encouraging the government to negotiate or seek assistance from other countries to purchase good quality equipment and farm machinery to better motivate and encourage farmers,” said Mr Philo.

Minister Joubert’s next stop was at Armand Michaud’s poultry farm at Sans Soucis where he was welcomed by Mr Michaud and  the MNA for the Bel Air district, Hon. Norbert Loizeau. Minister Joubert was visibly fascinated by the innovative techniques of poultry production introduced by Mr Michaud.

While touring the facilities, Mr Michaud brought his concerns, challenges and difficulties to the attention of Minister Joubert. He also expressed the hope that more producers will be encouraged to bring more innovation to boost innovative livestock production.

Minister Joubert also visited Jean-Paul Desaubin’s farm at Au Cap where he was welcomed by the latter who was very eager to bring to his attention his numerous challenges including his disappointment in the drainage system near his farm. During heavy rainfall his farm is severely affected. The visit on the farm and the discussions on site was an opportunity to assess and explore ways to better address and eventually resolve the drainage problem not only around the farm but in the Au Cap district as a whole. Also present for the visit was the MNA for the Au Cap district Hon. Kelly Samynadin.   

On Friday Minister Joubert also visited three farms at Val D’Andorre accompanied by the MNA for the Baie Lazare district Hon. François Adelaide and two farms at Anse Boileau where he was lead by the MNA for that district Hon. Philippe Arrisol.

All the farmers visited have mostly the same challenges and concerns and these include  reliable and sustainable water supply systems to the farming communities, stray dogs that damage their crops and affect their animals, difficult road access and difficulties to  expand and boost their production for both crop and livestock.

Minister Joubert was accompanied on the visit to the different farms by the newly appointed principal secretary for agriculture Keven Nancy, the chief agricultural extension officer Bob Petrousse, principal officer for agricultural lands Valerie Henri, technical and other extension officers from the agriculture department.

Text and photos contributed