Thank you very much, hon. Member. Madam Speaker, I wish to apprise the House that according to the MCIA Act, a small planter is defined as – “(…) a planter cultivating cane over an extent of less than 10 hectares;” With regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Sugar Insurance Fund Board that in 2014, there were 14,807 small sugarcane planters registered and they harvested 863,113 tons of sugarcane, which produced 65,759 tons of sugar. With regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that there were 8,037 small planters registered in 2024 and they harvested 396,405 tons of sugarcane, which produced 30,273 tons of sugar. It is evident from the abovementioned figures that 6,770 small sugarcane planters have abandoned their fields. A decrease of 46% which has resulted in a decrease of 54% in the sugarcane harvested and sugar produced. Madam Speaker, the production of sugar has drastically fallen during these ten years, not only due to natural calamities and loss of market share, but also to the fall in the price of sugar that has driven many small planters to abandon their lands. The rise in the cost of mechanisation, the decrease in local labour force in the sugar industry and the increase in transfer of prime agricultural land in favour of infrastructure has largely contributed to the fall in sugar production. There was a clear lack of commitment from the then authorities also to restructure the sugarcane industry. The Government has made it a priority to revamp the sugarcane industry, to drive small planters as well as the corporate sector to move again, in a more structured manner in the plantation of sugarcane and to make the sugar industry attractive again.

35 As announced in the Budget 2025-2026, the total revenue per ton of sugar will be increased to Rs35,000 so as to encourage small planters towards replantation. Funding under the Cane Replantation Scheme and Cane Replantation Revolving Fund have been enhanced in the budget to stimulate further production. These measures are expected to attract around 20,000 arpents under cultivation. The targeted five-year objective for sugarcane production has been set at 300,000 tons. Small sugarcane planters are important for the strategic initiative. Therefore, the Ministry will ensure that they get full access to support and schemes be made available. These measures will address and will tackle the cost of cane production issue and boost profitability to alleviate the difficulties presently being faced by small sugarcane planters.

Thank you. The hon. Third Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! CHIEF EXECUTIVE & DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE POSTS – APPOINTMENTS, VACANCIES & LEGAL PROCEEDINGS