Identifying solutions for farmers on Praslin and La Digue |04 May 2022

The minister responsible for agriculture, Flavien Joubert, chaired a meeting with farmers from Praslin and La Digue last Saturday, with the aim of discussing the livestock subsidies paid by the government for farmers.

The farmers who attended the meeting at the Grand Anse Praslin community centre had the opportunity to express their concerns regarding the agricultural sector in Seychelles. They stated that the agricultural sector should be given high importance, similar to the tourism industry. Some of them declared that they are unaware of certain benefits included in the subsidy. The majority of them stated that the quality of animal feed should not be compromised and that more effort must be made to improve communication between farmers and agricultural extensions officers.

On his part, Minister Joubert ensured all farmers that he would bring forward recommendations which will facilitate a sustainable system of payment for subsidies, in the upcoming Cabinet meeting on May 4 (today).

The minister also stressed that farmers need to be registered as commercial livestock farmers to benefit from all the subsidies available. For unregistered farmers, the minister encouraged his team on field to meet with them and identify their challenges so the ministry may find alternatives source of assistance.

However, the minister mentioned that the long-term objective of the ministry is to ensure a secure production system for agriculture that does not depend entirely on subsidy and instead divert assistance on other essential components that will help maintain adequate local production to enhance food security of the country. Minister Joubert highlighted that each farmer needs sufficient knowledge in financial management and farming techniques that will help them deal with challenges that may impact their level of productions.

The minister was accompanied by agriculture principal secretary Keven Nancy, chief officer for agriculture Linetta Joubert and senior economist Sara Estico. The meeting was held in the presence of two members of the National Assembly ‒ Honorable Doyace Poris and Honorable Churchill Gill ‒ as well as district administrator Micheal Jean-Louis.

Press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment