Thank you, hon. Member. Madam Speaker, I am informed that the extent of agricultural land that has been issued with a land conversion permit for commercial and residential purposes over the period 2019 to 2024 is 1568 hectares. I am tabling a list of all land conversion permits issued during that period. I wish to draw the attention of the House that over the past years prime agricultural land has indeed been depleted from the land bank earmarked for agricultural activities. As a result, it has become a challenge for the agricultural sector to respond to the increasing demand for food production. My Ministry has taken several measures to bring an equilibrium between infrastructural development and agricultural activities to ensure continuous food security including the following since June 2025 – no land conversion permit is being issued for commercial or residential project on prime agricultural land, such projects unless it is a project of national interest will instead be directed on bare land classified as marginal. This year a land suitability map of Mauritius has been developed by the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute whereby land has been classified as having high, moderate or low or marginal agricultural potential based on criteria such as topography of land, mechanisation potential and amount of rainfall. Based on this land suitability map 2025, landowners will now have visibility on the type of projects that may be undertaken on the land. In line with PART III of the Sugar Industry Efficiency Act, as subsequently amended, for all land conversion permits granted, applicants need to plough back within a period of two years at least 50% of the proceeds arising from the conversion into sugar production as field or factory level owned to diversification within the sugar sector. They need to fully compensate for loss in agricultural production by, of course, generating and the equivalent

88 amount of such production for at least one crop cycle of eight years by putting under sugarcane cultivation, other land belonging to applicants. Alternatively, they need to implement projects relating to water and energy saving irrigation projects. At the level of the Ministry, since 2025, promoters converting agricultural land to agricultural purposes are required to provide an undertaking to carry out agricultural activities. They are requested to inform my Ministry of the exact extent of land they will plough back and indicate the site where agricultural activities will be reinstated. They are required to work under the guidance of MCIA and the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute in elaborating agricultural activities to be undertaken. The monitoring and further evaluation of these activities are carried out by Mauritius Cane Industry Authority and FAREI through regular site visits. FAREI has carried out extensive consultation with farmers, suppliers and other stakeholders, so as to develop a Precision Farming Grant Scheme to support innovative farmers in adopting advanced technologies that can increase productivity while ensuring long-term environmental and economic sustainability. Madam Speaker, other accompanying measures have been implemented to encourage planters to adopt smart agricultural practices than opting for traditional modes of farming. Encouraging the farming community to shift to vertical farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, digitally controlled climate –the light, the temperature, the humidity, the carbon dioxide – for indoor crop production yield in 10 times more per unit area and is also a water efficient system. Presently, the financial incentives for a planter to shift from conventional to sheltered farming are – 1. grant of Rs500,000 for construction of the greenhouse and a planter can benefit the Rs500,000 for a second time, and 2. imported greenhouse is exempted from customs duty VAT when imported by planter; 3. planters having a minimum 500 m² under hydroponic cultivation benefit duty-free exemption on single and double cab vehicles.

89 Madam Speaker, I wish to highlight that preserving our agricultural land is not merely an environmental obligation but a strategic imperative for safeguarding national food security and ensuring the sustainable development of our country. The decision we take today guided by prudence, scientific evidence and long-term vision will determine the resilience of our agricultural sector for generations to come. It is therefore essential that all stakeholders remain committed to protecting productive land, promoting judicious land use and reinforcing the foundation of a self-reliant and sustainable Mauritius.

Thank you, hon. Minister. Yes, hon. Dr. Ms Thannoo?

Will the Minister kindly investigate traditional farming methods implemented by the Navdanya movement, by the Rural Women’s Assembly, methods that are low-tech and that ensure resilience for long-term and the protection of the land? Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Dr. for putting the question. She can rest assured we are not going to depart from traditions but we are going to put the premium necessary to make sure that there is an outcome. Having said so, we cannot also forgo our interest in relation to technology, where there is a constant breakthrough.

Yes, of course. Yes?

Madam Speaker, in the era of climate crisis, the only method that has proven to work is the method implemented by the Navdanya movement without pesticides. Thank you.

Yes?

Madam Speaker, since our hon. friend is well versed, I would like to be enlightened and I am here to learn since we are all on the learning curve. Thank you very much.

So sweetly said, hon. Minister. Maybe you both should meet.

(Interruptions)

The same goes for all of you because questions are very interesting but getting things done really is more interesting. Okay, next question, hon. Caserne!

90 PUBLIC HOSPITALS – PARKING SLOTS SHORTAGE – MEASURES