Mauritius is considering a reindustrialization focused on agriculture to address global economic changes.

The excessive dependence on food imports, exacerbated by the pandemic, has highlighted the need to rethink local agricultural production.

The Assises of Agriculture was held from March 16 to 20, 2023, at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex, organized by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security and the Economic Development Board (EDB). Last January, agroforestry was one of the supported initiatives to regenerate soils and respond to climate challenges while generating significant economic revenue.

The event addressed the theme « Pathways to a Sustainable Food System for a Healthier Future ». The opening ceremony was presided over by the President of the Republic of Mauritius and the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security. Activities included a symposium on various agricultural topics, an exhibition on production and enhancement techniques, and an exhibition/fair of agricultural products, equipment, and machinery. The aim was to bring local actors together to share their experiences and propose actions to increase local production and reduce dependence on food imports. The themes covered in the symposium included technology adoption, diversification, increasing production, value chains, contract farming, processing and exporting, resilience to climate change, and best practices. The event also aimed to spark interest in the agri-food sector among young people and encourage the consumption of local products. Various institutions, ministries, and agricultural sector actors participated in the fair, offering health control services, raising awareness of healthy eating habits, and showcasing agricultural technological innovations.

In this regard, the sugar industry in Mauritius is experiencing a promising revival, supported by agricultural regeneration initiatives and positive financial results. The focus on sustainable agriculture and exploring new practices pave the way for a promising future for the sector.

Mainly, Alteo, a major player, recorded remarkable growth with consolidated revenues up 26 % from the previous year, reaching 3.6 billion MUR. The example of ENL Agri is equally gratifying; the company also benefits from the rise in sugar prices, achieving a profit of 79 million MUR in 2022. As for the player Medine, it boasts an increase in its agricultural revenues, going from 491 million to 606 million MUR. Finally, Agricane’s operations account for 66% of its revenues, followed by deer farming (11 %) and Agrinnovation (10 %). Despite unfavorable climatic conditions and insufficient irrigation, the rise in sugar prices has helped mitigate the impact on production, although sugar tonnage has decreased compared to the previous year.

Ianja Ny