Reply: I have been informed by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Cooperatives & Ors of Rodrigues that there is currently no National Cooperative Policy in Rodrigues. The cooperative movement in Rodrigues constitutes a major pillar of the Rodriguan economy. The movement comprises 56 active cooperative societies and 69 dormant cooperative societies with a total of 13,180 members and an annual turnover of approximately Rs350 million. Cooperatives Societies in Rodrigues Island are active in strategic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, transport, financial services, handicrafts and food processing, thereby contributing significantly to employment creation, food security, social inclusion and community development. I have been apprised that there is presently no formal collaboration and cooperation calendar jointly established between my Ministry and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly specifically for the implementation of the National Cooperative Policy. However, cooperation between the two institutions is continuous, multifaceted and operationally embedded through existing legal, institutional, technical and collaborative mechanisms. Legally speaking, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies and the Principal Cooperative Auditor continue to exercise the powers and responsibilities vested in them under the Cooperatives Act. These statutory functions are extended to Rodrigues and are exercised in a manner that promotes transparency, accountability and good governance within cooperative societies. The auditing of cooperative societies is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Cooperatives Act and the Cooperatives (Annual Revenue of Society) Regulations 2017, thereby ensuring sound financial management and safeguarding the interests of cooperative members. At the level of institutions, cooperative societies in Rodrigues benefit from a broad range of support measures. These include registration services, free audit services, assistance in the preparation of the financial statements mounting of project proposals, access to grant schemes and cooperative marketing initiatives. Besides, sensitisation campaigns on Government support measures and the AML/CFT framework amongst others are equally organised. Further to that, training and capacity building opportunities are delivered through the National Cooperative College in conjunction with other institutional stakeholders. It is worth mentioning that a collaboration framework between the Ministry and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, the National Co-operative College (NCC) and the Commission for Agriculture, Cooperatives & Ors in Rodrigues was concluded in July 2025, paving the way for the delivery of an MQA-approved "Certificate in Cooperative Management" in Rodrigues. The programme, spanning over 1,080 learning hours, was jointly financed by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the National Cooperative College at a total cost of Rs459,700 and attracted an enrolment of 21 participants. The programme has almost been completed, with 16 participants having undertaken a study visit in Mauritius from 11 to 14 June 2026 and currently are in the process of finalising their study visit reports prior to being awarded a proper "Certificate in Cooperative Management". In addition, Rodriguan cooperative societies have benefitted from my Ministry, various Government grant schemes, including the "Boost to Local Production Scheme", the "Seedlings Production Scheme" and the "Digitalisation Scheme". These schemes are intended to enhance productivity, innovation, resilience and competitiveness within the cooperative sector in Rodrigues. Since Financial Year 2020-2021, a total amount of Rs992,896 had been disbursed to cooperative societies in Rodrigues under specific grant schemes. My Ministry maintains regular engagement with the Rodrigues Commission for Agriculture, Cooperatives & Ors which is responsible for Cooperative societies through consultations, technical exchanges, workshops, training activities, monitoring exercises and advisory support. Whenever requests are submitted by the Rodrigues authorities, officers of my Ministry respond promptly. Coupled with that, technical officers are regularly deployed to extend their expert services, conduct audits and inspections, where necessary. My Ministry organised the National Cooperatives Excellence Awards on 30 April 2026, with particular attention accorded to cooperative societies in Rodrigues. A total of 21 Rodriguan cooperative societies participated in the competition. Three Rodriguan societies were recognised for their outstanding performance, namely – (i) the United Development Cooperative Credit Union Ltd which was awarded the Winner prize and a cash prize of Rs75,000; (ii) the Nassola Cooperative Credit Union Ltd received the Runner-Up prize and a cash prize of Rs50,000, and (iii) the Cooperative Polyvalente Le Solitaire Limitee was honoured with a Special Jury Award and a cash prize of Rs50,000. Two representatives per awardee were invited, accompanied by one officer from the Cooperative Division of Rodrigues and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Cooperatives & Ors. It is important to underscore that this collaborative approach fully respects the autonomy of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly in the discharge of its responsibilities whilst ensuring that cooperative societies in Rodrigues continue to benefit from the expertise, legal and institutional support available through my Ministry. The National Cooperative College has charted a training plan till December 2026 for cooperative societies in Rodrigues. It includes training on AML/CFT, a second cohort for the certificate in "Cooperative Management leadership" and a webinar with Malaysia and India on "Cooperative for a sustainable inclusive future". As regards future measures, my Ministry remains committed to further strengthening cooperation with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. In this connection, consultations are envisaged with the Commission for Agriculture, Cooperatives & Ors, with a view to developing a more structured framework for planning, coordination and information sharing for the development of a National Cooperative Policy for Rodrigues. Such arrangements would facilitate greater synergy between the respective institutions whilst preserving the autonomy of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the statutory powers conferred upon the Registrar of Cooperative Societies and the Principal Cooperative Auditor under the Cooperatives Act.

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