There are some simple things that people always take for granted. As a simple example, we have air, water, soil and the population. When treated with care and attention they return us much more than expected. But when treated with neglect and taken for granted, we have calamities like cyclones, tsunamis, droughts and many other undesired effects which are indelible in history.
Now that the uproars of the Budget Speech are over, it would be appropriate to comment on certain items thereof more specifically on the Food Security aspects. Interestingly, an amount of 2 billion rupees has been earmarked for “to support existing and new developments in the sector”. Further under another item it states that “Moreover we will be providing for new measures, including :- (a) A 75 percent subsidy on seeds for Cabbage, Calabash, Pumpkin, Cucumber and Carrots”.
The amount (Rs2 billion) might sound huge, but the fact remains that it encompasses both cane and non-cane sectors including livestock production as well in terms of incentives, grants and subsidies. Further, what does Rs2 billion represent in a budget of Rs155 billion? Are they comparable to the other sectors? That is left to the appreciation and judgement of the cane, fruits, vegetables and livestock producers. Furthermore, has the Budget been able to handle the fundamental problem affecting the sectors? Have the suggestions of the farming community been taken into consideration? It is not apparent in the Budget Speech and further deliberations.
A fairly consequent increase has been allotted to the cane replanting scheme. It sounds interesting but the answer to the major issue has not been given, and that is: wherefrom and how will they get cost-effective labour to undertake the tasks? Ask any farmer the reason for opting out of activity and that will be the fundamental reason behind. As far back as 22nd June 2020 in the issue of Le Mauricien (Forum Page), the problems were raised and structural as well as practical solutions were discussed. It is a paradox that issues pertaining to farming are discussed and proposed by accountants and economists, commonly known as consultants, who base themselves on theoretical non-tested ideas and come up with reports in a set time frame. Most of those reports have today contributed to reach this present situation the traditional farmers are facing. Today, the country is importing most of its food requirements thanks to the advice of the heavily remunerated consultants whose reports are piling up in the registries of the Ministry.
In the previous Finance Bill under item Part B Other Budget Measures mention was made inter alia
“Agricultural products and market information system, APMIS, will be updated so that the market information is easily available for planters to make informed decision on what to cultivate and when, how to price their produce and where to sell through access to information from a single window.
FAREI will implement an Agricultural Program focusing on New Agricultural practices such as roof top gardening and Vertical Farming at primary and secondary schools on a pilot basis”.
Under item “Other Legislations” mention was made that
- Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute Act will be amended to promote production of fodder for animals and Superfoods such as Bread Fruit, Jack Fruit and Avocado.
It is regrettable that nothing tangible of such interesting measures is visible to those engaged in the sector.
Mention needs to be made that in the past (2007 to 2013), AREU, then FAREI, were already engaged in the promotion of the measures announced above as mentioned in the Ministry’s publication Strategic Options Crop Diversification and Livestock Sector, published in August 2007. AREU had even launched a vast campaign for the production of those commodities and Entrepreneurs were already trained in the production of the byproducts of those SUPERFOODS. Those byproducts included Bread Fruit Flour, Roselle Jam, and Roselle Juice amongst others.
You cannot use old ways to open new doors, it is commonly said. That saying was visible during the Budget debates where mention was made amongst others of “Arouilles chips and Mouroung” but that was already available at the Research Station of AREU at Wooton. What is urgently required is strong canvassing and adoption of those ideas; things that are completely lacking in the present structure. In fact, extension is becoming the weaker link of the system. However sincere one’s intentions are, the lack of proper drivers of same will hinder materialization. As an illustration, ripe bananas, which are considered as the super substitute in vitamins and minerals for the common man, are available in the market ranging from Rs6 to 9 each. Has the cause of same been investigated? How long does it take to meet a request of planting materials by aspiring producers? Same may be said for availability of planting materials of other fruits from the windows of the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security? Open the old doors first, then work out new ways for future development. It needs to be repeated that no helping hand was extended to an investor who was willing to invest in its production, research and transformation for exports of Moringa or Mouroung as commonly known.
During the whole Debates allusion was regularly made to a politician who was not present in the assembly. It was clear that it was due to lack of arguments to rebut.
Many a time we consider the silence of a person as his weakness. That person may not want to answer for reasons that we may not comprehend. So to consider it as his weakness is wrong. Even the vast sea generally remains silent and calm, however what happens when it transforms with rage? It brings the entire region to the brink of destruction. So it is wrong to consider it as his weakness. If this silence is broken, it can break all the limits of destruction. So always learn to understand this silence and respect it. Concentrate on the mission statements while respecting the oath and the purpose of the August Assembly. Do not sell dreams as a dream merchant does.
