Madam Speaker, the sustained, inadequate rainfall in the recent months has resulted in a significant decline in water levels in the La Nicolière Reservoir and Midlands Dam. Consequently, the Water Resources Monitoring Committee, under the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, had to impose stringent conditions on water usage for irrigation through a series of regulations enacted under the Central Water Authority Act. In fact, since December 2022, restrictions have been consistently imposed on the irrigation of sugarcane for consecutive promulgation of a series of Dry Season Regulations under the Central Water Authority Act. Also, the Central Water Authority, by virtue of its act, has priority of use over all water resources in times of drought. Therefore, penalising the Irrigation Authority. Consequently, the Irrigation Authority has had to seize all irrigation of sugarcane since August 2024. In contrast, vegetable crops are receiving only a minimal allocation of irrigation, three hours for two days a week, which is grossly inadequate for ensuring viable crop production. Madam Speaker, regarding part (a) of the question, I wish to inform the House that approximately 3,200 hectares of land in the northern region, occupied by some 3,500 small

55 planters and three corporate planters rely on La Nicolière Reservoir, have experienced irreversible effects on yield growth and overall crop development. A preliminary assessment of the impact of the prevailing drought has been made as follows, and I will circulate the relevant document – • The revenue of planters is expected to decrease by Rs718,512,000. A committee has been established at the Irrigation Authority, comprising various stakeholders, including Mauritius Cane Industry Authority, the Food and Agricultural Research Extension Institute, the Small Farmers Welfare Fund and leader planters from the region. This committee is tasked with assessing the impacts of the drought and proposing effective mitigation strategies. • The Sugar Insurance Fund Board and Small Farmers Welfare Fund shall be consulted on the way forward for compensation to small planters. Madam Speaker, as regards part (b) of the question, my Ministry has, in response to these challenges, come up with several immediate and transitionary support measures aimed at assisting planters in navigating through this difficult period until the detailed assessment – I will highlight them – just to give relief to the planters. In order to alleviate the financial burden on affected planters, my Ministry has decided to forego the collection of irrigation dues, totalling some Rs10 m. from sugar cane planters impacted by these restrictions for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Furthermore, as part of next year’s budgetary proposal, my Ministry is advocating for financial assistance package. In respect of one specific area, Rs3.5 m. has been earmarked to support small sugar cane planters in replanting their fields at Pointe aux Piments. The Irrigation Authority has started a project in order to replace its pivot system with drip system which allow for more efficient use of available and scarce water resources. Recognising that the cost of drip irrigation equipment poses a significant financial challenge for small planters, we are offering financial assistance of Rs50,000 per arpent to facilitate the purchase of drip irrigation system by small sugarcane planters. Also, the strategies which will be adopted in order to mitigate the effect of the annually recurring drought will consist of the following –

56 a) construction of retention basins, mini dams along rivers so as to store water for irrigation; b) construction of water harvesting infrastructure and storage basin in agricultural areas; c) shifting towards more water efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation in contrast to overhead irrigation and if need be, we will make use of drones to ensure that there is efficient use of water and fertilisers; d) promotion of a cultivation of drought-resistant crop varieties that are better suited to our changing climatic condition; e) training and support to planters on adoption of water efficient and climate smart agricultural practices. All these measures shall be discussed in detailed in the forthcoming Assises de l’Agriculture. Madam Speaker, the rainfall pattern over the past years and the consequential water supply regime appears to be establishing a new normal necessitating a comprehensive reassessment of our medium and long-term agricultural and irrigation strategies for the northern plane. With the collaboration of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, we are exploring the development of new water resources to ensure the sustainability of our agricultural sector.

Thank you, hon. Minister. Yes, Mr Rookny.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I gather from information provided by the hon. Minister that some 3,000 planters of the north have seen their revenues depleted by some Rs17 m. which effectively means they have been asphyxiated and which also means that it will cause them significant difficulty to restart their activities once we have adequate water. Will the hon. Minister advise if consideration will be given to compensate these planters in order to allow them to put food on our tables? Thank you.

They are already being given accompanying measures but I grant you, it is a tough situation due to the vagaries of climatic condition but in the light of on-going pre- budgetary discussions, you can rest assured we will do our level best to respond to the needs of this afflicting community.

Thank you, hon. Minister. Your next question!

57 DRUG ADDICTS – REHABILITATION PROTOCOLS & TREATMENTS