Tea growers received their Winter Allowance at Emerald Gardens Hall in Nouvelle France in September 2024. The Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, in collaboration with the Small Farmers Welfare Fund (SFWF), organized the official ceremony.
Since 2018, the Government has disbursed approximately Rs 39 million to 1,100 registered tea growers. During the event, the Government symbolically handed over battery-powered tea leaf-picking machines and fertilizer vouchers under the Tea Support Scheme. The remaining tea growers will receive their items soon in their localities.
Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, and other distinguished guests. These included the Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs, and Cooperatives, Ms. Naveena Ramyad, Members of Parliament, Chairman of the SFWF Mr. Ashok Bundhoo, and the Manager of the SFWF, Mr. Roopesh Bheekarry.
In his speech, Minister Seeruttun emphasized that since 2015, the Government has focused on reviving the tea sector and supporting tea growers. The Winter Allowance, introduced in Budget 2018/19, offers monthly income support of 50 cents per kg of tea leaves harvested by small planters. Over the years, the income support increased, reaching Rs 4.50 per kg in the financial year 2024/25.
The Minister also outlined various Government schemes designed to support tea growers. These include the Farmers’ Protection Scheme and the Road Mending Scheme, with Rs 6 million allocated in Budget 2024/25. Additionally, the Government is working with the Food and Agriculture Organization to promote Mauritian tea as a pesticide-free product with unique health benefits. This initiative aims to increase the international recognition of Mauritian tea and boost the revenue of tea growers.
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