The Budget delivered by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance marks a historic shift in our food strategy. This is a budget of sovereignty - a call to action for our farmers, fishers, and youth to reclaim our plate and our future.

The politics of ‘‘produce what we eat and eat what we produce’’

The Planters, Producers, People era has begun. With bold incentives, strategic partnerships and a focus on food security with nutritional value, Mauritius has a clear pathway to reduce its Rs 65 billion food import bill. Today, we produce just 25% of what we consume. That must change.

Highlights from the Budget for Agro-Industry and Blue Economy:

1. National land bank & food security plan – foundation for structured agricultural growth.

2. Smart agriculture & sheltered farming – inspired by global success stories from Greece, Israel, and the Netherlands, powered by AI, adapted to Mauritius.

3. Sugarcane incentives – Rs 35,000 per ton for up to 60 tons, with molasses and bagasse. Financing through a Private-Public Partnership.

4. Free land preparation – Rs 65,000 per acre funded by Mauritius Cane Industry Authority.

5. Labour importation for agriculture – fully aligned with International Labour Organization conventions.

6. Blue economy sovereignty – with the Joint Fisheries Management Area (JFMA) now solely under Mauritian control and Chagos integrated, a new oceanic frontier opens.

7. Port investment – upgraded infrastructure and a strategy to attract the 35,000 fishing vessels navigating the West Indian Ocean.

8. Beyond the lagoon – fishers will be supported to move from artisanal to semi-industrial operations with Rs 200,000 offered to those surrendering lagoon licenses.

9. Saya de Malha & carbon credits – harnessing our vast marine grasslands as carbon sinks for trade in carbon markets.

10. Agalega as fish landing hub – proximity to Saya de Malha allows for cold storage and rapid export. Airlink to Mauritius in 2.5 hours.

11. Chagos potential – with the JFMA now defunct, Mauritius reclaims migratory fishing rights in these waters.

12. New fishing port & auction market – boosting exports to the European Union (via Everything But Arm/Interim Economic Partnership Agreement) and United Kingdom; tackling the United States market uncertainty post-Bumblebee.

13. Largest marine protected area (MPA) – a commitment to marine biodiversity.

14. Aquaculture expansion – both inland and sea-based, following Brazil’s 49% fish supply model.

15. Coral farming & marine pharmaceuticals – a new frontier in blue biotech and wellness.

We say it loud: Arise, awake, and stop not until we achieve food self-sufficiency with nutritional value.

Yes, we can and yes, we will.

Let us think globally, act locally, and build food and ocean resilience for the generationstocome.

Arvin BOOLELL,

Minister of Agro-industry, Food security, Blue economy and Fisheries