Sugar Industry Challenges
The sugar business, which was once a key economic pillar, is currently having trouble finding employees. In addition to having trouble hiring foreign labor, this industry finds it difficult to spark the attention of youthful workers. The 63rd general meeting of the Mauritius Co-operative Agricultural Federation Ltd., which took place on Tuesday in the Bonâme Hall on the grounds of the Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) in Réduit, brought attention to these issues.
Struggles of Small-Scale Cane Producers
While certain economic sectors are able to locate “rare pearls,” small-scale cane producers are rarely as fortunate. One thing that deters planters is the absence of assistance in hiring more personnel. Veteran of this field Gansam Boodram casts a bleak eye on the future. “Mauritians do not seem interested in working in this sector,” he explains. Although we have made efforts to hire foreign labor, the never-ending formalities are impeding our progress.
Delays in Work Permits
It draws attention to the exasperating delays that come with getting work and residency permits for overseas employees. When people ultimately find work abroad after several months of searching, these delays may dishearten them. Despite multiple reports of these issues to the appropriate authorities, no adequate resolution has been discovered. He continues, “It is disheartening that even after contacting the immigration service, your correspondence mounts and goes unanswered.”
Financial Hurdles
Another obstacle to planters’ finances is the high expense of recruiting foreign labor, as another planter with comparable issues, Arun Bholah, notes. The majority of Mauritius employed in this field are old. Not to mention how challenging it is to find new employees,” he goes on. Despite the fact that his family has been in this business for a very long time, he notes that a labor shortage has caused its profitability to fall. Concerns over government support are frequently voiced by planters, especially with regard to mechanization.
Enhancing Harvesting Efficiency
Gansam Boodram recommends that in order to increase the effectiveness of harvesting operations, the government offer broader support for the acquisition of equipment. It is only possible for one or two institutions to offer us the support we require. It is imperative that it be accessible to all planters. Why not provide financial aid programs to help with the purchase of harvesting equipment?
Addressing Youth Apathy
The lack of enthusiasm among young people seems to be the most obstacle to the industry’s future, though. The planters think it’s essential to have conversations with youth in order to inspire them to think about a future in this industry. Arun Bholah is not optimistic about the future of tiny planters; he believes that if proper steps are not done to create interest in the next generation and provide proper support from the authorities, they would vanish within ten years.
