The 36% drop in sugar export prices continues to show its effects. But this time, the result should be a positive one for small planters. 62 of them in the East have got together to form the Queen Victoria Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society with the ultimate goal of modernising sugarcane growing and decreasing production costs by 20% while increasing their output. This pilot project is expected to be gradually extended to other regions of the country.

The grouping into cooperatives is aimed at helping the most vulnerable planters. All those owning less than ten acres have to reduce their production costs while improving their output if they want to survive the external shock coming from the European Union by 2009-2010. If many were against the project at first, all those involved in the pilot project of Queen Victoria have changed their minds. ?We have to give the project a chance?, explains a 60-year old planter.

What prevented them from approving of such a project was the fact that small planters always wanted to keep a close eye on the management and sale of sugarcane to sugar estates. Moreover, legislation did not allow such grouping. However, with the threats from the EU, both the authorities and the small planters have realised they have to react before it is too late. The choice was clear for small planters: either modernise through the setting up of cooperatives or stop cultivating sugar cane. In Queen Victoria, they have made their choice.

Towards less labour

The project, extended over seven years, is aimed at helping small planters increase their output through modernisation of their cultivating methods. The authorities will help to remove stones from the fields and cuttings with a better output will be planted. The whole process will be mechanised to use less labour. The only fear of the small planters is their obligation to be part of the project for a seven-year period. They fear the commitment to keep their lands under sugar cane cultivation at a time when they could rise in value.

Queen Victoria, with its 102 acres and the Rs 2.7 million requested, is only the beginning of a much larger programme. ?The objective is to transform the 12,000 acres in 2015. Most of the land will have to be ready in 2010. All this will cost the country Rs 1.3 billion,? explained the minister of Agro-industry, Arvin Boolell, during a visit in Queen Victoria last week.

After the law was amended to allow planters to reorient their land ? from cultivation of sugar cane to more profitable agricultural activities or even the sale of their plots in small ?morcellements? ? some 8,000 had already seized the opportunity. But this new project aims at helping those wishing to continue with sugarcane cultivation. The grouping appears as a key-element to make the sugar sector a viable industry.

With this in mind, the authorities have asked for the collaboration of all stakeholders to make this project a success and allow others to be set up. The Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) has introduced a new way of planting cuttings to improve the output: double rows. Thanks to this Australian technique, more sugar can be grown on a smaller area.

The private sector?s cooperation has also been sought and Fuel Sugar Estate has agreed to provide help in terms of know-how. Four of its employees have been appointed to help to make of this pilot-project an example for the whole country.