A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the acquisition of a second harvester for the harvesting of sugar cane by small and medium planters, was signed between the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority (MCIA) and the Mauritius Co-operative Agricultural Federation (MCAF) Ltd, in Réduit, Wednesday 23th of March, 2022.

The Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, the Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, the Chief Executive Officer of the MCIA, Mr Satish Purmessur, the General Manager of MCAF Ltd, Mr Sachin Sookna, and other personalities were present.

In his address, Minister Gobin highlighted that this second harvester is being purchased following the success brought about through the signature of the MoU between the MCIA and MCAF Ltd on 22 June 2020 for the acquisition of a first sugarcane harvester and associated field equipment from India.

The Minister encouraged workers from non-sugar sectors to regroup themselves in cooperative societies such as MCAF Ltd which will act as a spokesperson to promote and safeguard the agricultural interests of affiliated societies.

For his part, Minister Bholah lauded the initiative of the MCIA and MCAF Ltd for the acquisition of the equipment, which he emphasised will provide immediate and substantial relief to the small and medium sugarcane planters and the industry.

He recalled that for crop 2021 some 6,000 tonnes of sugarcane island-wide belonging to small and medium planters and the Sugar Investment Trust was harvested mechanically covering around 300 Arpents.

As for Mr Purmessur and Mr Sookna, they pointed out that some 10,000 tonnes of sugarcane island-wide for crop 2022 are expected to be harvested. They also spoke of their intent to assist planters through the implementation of other measures including offering mechanised services for soil preparation and preparation of plant cuttings, and spraying of herbicides and fertilisers, so as to optimise income.