Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. I wish to inform the House that there are currently around 65,000 hectares of land potentially available for agriculture, out of which, 40,000 hectares are dedicated to sugar cane production and some 8,000 hectares to food crop production. The remaining extent is under other crops, including greenhouse farming, tea plantations and orchards. Our most recent analysis shows that around 6,500 hectares of land, out of the 40,000 hectares, belonging to small planters, Government and corporate growers, were no longer under sugar cane plantation in 2025. Out of these, 4,000 hectares are located in areas classified as high or moderate potential for agriculture. With regard to part (a) of the question, since November 2024 to date, some 1,100 acres of State land or arpents have been allocated to planters from the Ministry, Rose Belle Sugar Estate and Sugar Investment Trust. This extent of land is actively under cultivation. With reference part (b) of the question, I am informed that some 1,050 acres of State land remain available and will be allocated to planters who have submitted or who will submit application for State land for agricultural purposes. The hon. Member may wish to note that the procedures for obtaining State land have been streamlined to facilitate timely access for planters and to accelerate cultivation in support of national food security. In the light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its implication for global food supplies, it is increasingly imperative that our country expand domestic production to reduce dependence on import and moves toward greater self-sufficiency. To this end, my Ministry has reduced the number of eligibility criteria applied to applicants for State land from 14 to 4 so as to fast-track the allocation process and render same more attractive to small planters. I wish to assure the House that the Ministry remains fully committed to promote measures to achieve and strengthen food security. The Ministry, through the Small Farmers Welfare Fund, the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Unit and the Agricultural Marketing Board, provides extensive support and incentives to small planters and farmers to the tune of Rs568 million so as to ease the burden of increase in cost of import for the agricultural sector such as fertilizer, mechanisation, seeds and livestock feed, amongst others. For the benefit of the House, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am tabling the comprehensive list of incentives and support measures administered through Small Famers Welfare Fund and the FAREI. I would like to thank the hon. Member for raising this important question. I reiterate the Ministry’s determination to support the planters with all the necessary measures to ensure national food security.

The Second Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d'Or! CONSTITUENCY NO. 6 – BARACHOIS – PROMOTERS