A total of 28 beneficiaries of the Development Bank of Mauritius Gardening scheme, received this morning, each, a cheque of Rs 25 000, a gardening tool kit and a compost bin, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.
Various other eminent personalities, including the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, Member of the National Assembly, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, and the Parliamentary Private Secretary, Mr. Prakash Ramchurrun, were present at the ceremony held in Baguant Hall, at the District Council of Moka.
The Backyard Gardening project “Entreprendre pour l’auto-suffisance”, an initiative of the Citizens Advice Bureau of St Pierre and Quartier-Militaire, is aimed at encouraging housewives to undertake backyard gardening in 15 villages in the district of Moka. Some 70 housewives have applied for the loan and 38 have been approved so far.
In his address, PM Jugnauth congratulated all the housewives who embarked on the project and who have tapped into the opportunities being provided by the Government. He stated that this activity is enabling them to produce and consume nutritious food as well as contribute to the economy, by increasing local food supply, thus saving on imports.
He observed that through the acquisition of experience and techniques, the beneficiaries will be able to expand their activities. Budget 2021-2022 has increased the maximum loan under the DBM Backyard Gardening Loan Scheme from Rs 20 000 to Rs 100 000, recalled the Prime Minister.
Furthermore, he dwelt on other Governmental facilities being offered to promote local farming such as sheltered farming, for which a grant of 50 % is being offered. He added that in the ongoing Sheltered Farming project in Plaine Magnien and Ville Bague, some 251 beneficiaries have benefited from an assistance of Rs 75 million and some Rs 178 million have been earmarked for a series of scheme related to farming.
On that score, PM Jugnauth urged everyone to avail of these facilities and assistance and encouraged the beneficiaries to sensitise others to undertake the same initiative for the progress of the country.
Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth further observed that if each Mauritian undertakes farming and animal rearing activities on unused lands, he will contribute significantly to the progress of the country. He indicated that we import up to 75% of our food products, and cautioned that we remain vulnerable to supply chain issues and factors affecting the exporting country.
We are today in an urgent situation where we should all do our best to reduce our dependency on imports, stressed the Prime Minister.
As for VPM Dookun-Luchoomun, she lauded the successful implementation of the project, which was a joint collaboration of the CAB with other stakeholders including the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.
She spoke about the importance of food self-sufficiency and the benefits of local production, including the supply of fresh and pesticide-free products.
The project, she said, is enabling housewives to contribute to the production of food not only for their own consumption but also for others. VPM Dookun-Luchoomun also noted that the beneficiaries have taken their endeavor a step further by availing of the various facilities being provided by the Government. The VPM encouraged the beneficiaries to demonstrate perseverance, commitment and efforts in their initiatives.
