Republic of Mauritius- Launch of Crop Loss Compensation Scheme for planters

The new Scheme will be operated on a pilot basis and aims at compensating, in a more reasonable and fair manner, small planters growing in the open field for crop losses sustained as a result of the effects of climate change such as excessive rainfall, cyclones and droughts with a view to enabling them to promptly re-start their plantation. The scheme covers various types of crop cultivated in Mauritius. 

In his address, the Agro-Industry Minister appealed to all members of the SFWF to enroll for the scheme and avail of the facilities being put at their disposal. The scheme, he highlighted will hence help stabilise planters revenues to ensure their sustainability and reducing the breach in food production which will eventually help promote national food security, he added.

The Minister reiterated Government’s commitment to ensure that small planters are taken care of especially in the face of climate change repercussions in the country which are affecting the planters’ community. He further added that the degree of crop losses after the occurrence of an event and compensation payable to the planters will be determined under the scheme.

He also dwelt on several projects that have been implemented for the benefits of the planters namely, the Wholesale Market at Wooton, so that they can sell their products directly to customers at a more competitive price, and the setting up of 100 sheltered farms in view of incurring fewer losses due to climatic change. These projects, he stated, aim at modernising Mauritius in terms of infrastructure for the agricultural sector.

As announced Budget 2018/2019, Government is contributing Rs 30 million towards the setting up of a new Crop Insurance Scheme for planters to be operated by the Small Farmers Welfare Fund so as to give a boost to the food security programme.  Previously, in Budget 2017/18, funding to the tune of Rs 10 million was provided for the SFWF to work on the implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme and operate the Agricultural Calamity and Solidarity Scheme.