The government has agreed to provide a one-time allowance to tea farmers to help them cope with plantation losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and June 2020. An official ceremony was held at Nouvelle France Multipurpose Complex this afternoon, and checks were sent to about 35 tea farmers.
The Minister of Justice, Minister of Agriculture Industry and Food Security, Mr. Maneesh Gobin, Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mr. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, and other celebrities attended the event.
In his keynote speech, Minister Gobin recalled that due to the 2020 blockade, some growers and breeders have been affected. Therefore, among the various measures announced by the government to support them, it was decided to give tea farmers a one-time allowance.
He emphasized that the payable amount is 8,000 rupees per tree, and approximately 1,065 growers who plant more than 940 arpents will benefit from the plan, which amounts to approximately 7.5 million rupees. In addition to the growers who attended the official ceremony, the first payment will be made today to about 400 growers in Nouvelle France and nearby areas, who will receive a check by mail.
Minister Gobin further informed that starting next week, tea farmers in Dubreuil, Bois Cheri and Grand Bois will also receive subsidies. He pointed out that one of the main challenges facing the tea industry is the scarcity of labor. In order to solve the same problem and promote the harvest of tea, while providing affordable solutions for tea planters to reduce their production costs, the 2021/22 budget stipulates that each registered tea planter will be provided with a one-time subsidy to obtain a one-time subsidy. A mini electric tea harvester, Mr. Gobin observed.
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In addition, the Minister of Agriculture emphasized that, as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) confirmed in one of its reports, the tea industry is a very promising industry. He expressed his belief that the tea planting area can be increased, and he emphasized that the local annual production of tea is about 1,500 tons, while the local annual consumption is 1,800 tons. He added that in addition, about 50,000 seedlings have been produced and will be distributed to growers.
As for Minister Seruttun, he emphasized that the payment of the one-time allowance is intended to support the tea farmers who suffered from the blockade last year. He expressed belief that the tea industry can flourish and added that more young people need to be encouraged to join the industry.
In addition, he detailed the FAO report on the tea industry in Mauritius, and then reminded that the necessary health precautions must still be fully followed to reduce the local spread of the coronavirus.
Read the original article about the government of Mauritius.
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