Visit of Attorney General and Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Honourable Maneesh Gobin to garlic planters at Crève Coeur on Wednesday 03rd August 2022
Garlic is a high-value condiment with an annual consumption of 2000 tonnes equivalent to a financial turnover of 200 million rupees. Our annual local production amounts only to 50 tonnes harvested over a total cultivated area of 14 arpents. Garlic cultivation is undertaken mainly in the northern region at Crève Coeur and Montagne Longue; in the eastern region at Nouvelle Decouverte and Ripailles; in the upper Plaine Wilhems at Glen Park and Mare Longue and in the South at Petit Sable/Grand Sable and Camp Diable.
In order to take stock of the status of garlic production and with a view to come up with strategies to boost the local garlic production, the Attorney General and Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Honourable Maneesh Gobin effected a visit to garlic plantations at Crève Coeur on Wednesday 03rd August 2022. Members of Parliament, Honourable Subhashnee Lutchmun-Roy and Honournable Joanne Tour as well as other personalities were also present.
The Minister observed that garlic production has been on a decreasing trend over the years. He underlined that the government is already addressing the issues through appropriate support measures, namely revision of floor price by the Agricultural Marketing Board for purchase of ware garlic from growers from Rs 105/kg to Rs 130/kg. There is also a seed purchase scheme whereby local garlic planters benefit a 75% subsidy for the purchase of local garlic seeds at the subsidised price of Rs 26/kg.
The Honourable Minister Manish Gobin laid emphasis on regrouping of individual garlic planters into a cooperative or association so that they may benefit from existing schemes and any other facility that can help them in their daily agricultural activities.
During his visit, the Minister was also made aware of other issues faced by the garlic planters of Crève Coeur namely difficulty to access fields due to poor road infrastructure, flooding of plantations and damage caused by monkeys. He stated that the Ministry will look into the matter and come up with appropriate solutions.