The Commission of Agriculture, to mark the International Food Day, organized an agricultural fair in Citronelle on 28 and 29 October 2022. As local products there were ‘cassava, corn, sweet potato’ as well as vegetables and meat. The products were sold at a reduced price. During the official ceremony of the launching of the agricultural fair, there was also a handing-over of agricultural license to the farmer. There were about forty exhibitors.
Commissioner Louis Ange Perrine said that anyone who can benefit from an agricultural permit or an assistance plan from his commission must undergo training to be eligible. The Commissioner addressed the population of farmers, planters and fishermen and said that these are key sectors in Rodrigues. Our economy also depends on these sectors and will help our country to have its own money, to do development to be able to say that we have become autonomous
“Unfortunately, after 10 years in agriculture, we find that the situation is catastrophic, the situation has deteriorated completely. Fortunately, the population has brought about change. It took us seven months to put in order, to reorganize, to relaunch. The situation will end up deteriorating when we go. In 2012, the cultivated land was about 500 hectares and the production decreased by 150 hectares. Tou secteur fermer, maison pecheur fermer, maison des eleveur fermer, limon d’Or fermer »he said.
He adds that we must live the reality, study the current situation to be able to make good decisions for our island. Commissioner Perrine and his commission will focus on projects that will bring income to Rodrigues, products that we can export. He also spoke about the fishing sector and said that he is happy to have been able to repair the fishermen’s house to be able to revive this sector to have income for Rodrigues.
Chief Commissioner Johnson Roussety said that their vision is to increase agricultural production in Rodrigues. The commission has put in place a new scheme to finance projects up to Rs 50,000 as part of the professionalization project in the agricultural sector.
