1. Mauritius is a small island developing state with the ambition to be a “big oceanic small state.” Could you tell us how the country’s economy has evolved over the years, especially in the agricultural sector?
Mauritius is indeed a small island developing state that aspires to be a big oceanic small state. If we rely solely on the size of the island, agriculture cannot be considered the mainstay of the economy. In the early 1970s, sugarcane was the backbone of our economy. We used the proceeds from sugar exports to diversify and create new pillars for our economy.
But change is the only constant. With the end of the Sugar Protocol, we transformed the sugar industry into a broader sugarcane industry and began adding value to our products. Today, Mauritius exports high-quality specialty sugars that are in great demand in Europe and other countries with which we’ve negotiated bilateral trade and free trade agreements.
Tourism has since become the mainstay, alongside sectors such as IT and financial services. Agriculture continues to evolve, but we face challenges like labour shortages. To address this, we are looking into regional cooperation and importing labour from India and Nepal for agriculture and services.
Furthermore, the International Court of Justice ruling and UN General Assembly vote have confirmed Mauritius’ territorial integrity over the Chagos Archipelago. With our extended continental shelf shared with Seychelles, our oceanic territory is vast, almost as large as the Indian subcontinent.
Our vision for self-sufficiency includes both land-based and marine production. We import around USD 1.3 billion in food annually, so policies are now being revisited to “produce what we eat and eat what we produce.” We are also investing in aquaculture, fish farming in lagoons and offshore. For example, Ferme Marine de Mahebourg exports fish to Switzerland and other European markets.
Mauritius has come a long way from being a monocrop sugar economy to a diversified one, guided by vision, adaptability, and sustainability in line with our climate commitments.
2. Food security has become a global concern. What measures is Mauritius implementing to enhance local food production and reduce import dependency?
As I mentioned, Mauritius imports around USD 1.3 billion in food, so we must reduce this dependency. Our strategy begins with changing mindsets, encouraging farmers to embrace innovation and technology.
First, we are maximizing productivity in traditional agriculture. Second, we are promoting automated and smart agriculture under shade houses. Research and development are crucial, developing better seed varieties and improving precision farming techniques.
We are also encouraging the regrouping of planters to achieve economies of scale, supported by technologies like drones and remote sensing. A land bank is being set up to ensure better land use, guided by a land suitability index that matches crops to appropriate areas. Precision and smart Agriculture is the way forward .
We are limiting encroachment on prime agricultural land and promoting proximity agriculture, bringing farmers and communities closer. Modernization must be inclusive, practical, and sustainable.
3. How is Mauritius diversifying its agro-industrial base beyond sugar to adapt to modern markets?
Market access is not a major issue for us. In the sugarcane industry, we’ve expanded into regional markets such as Kenya and Tanzania, while continuing to add value to domestic production.
Agro-processing is another strong pillar. For example, we import powdered milk and convert it into high-quality yogurt and other dairy products locally. In potato farming, we have reached self-sufficiency by introducing new varieties and releasing more land for cultivation.
We are also self-sufficient in poultry and egg production. However, because of our sophisticated palate and the needs of the tourism sector, we import seafood from countries like India, Indonesia, and Madagascar, mainly shrimp and crabs, under bilateral and regional trade agreements.
The key is to consolidate sectors where we have a comparative advantage. We cannot produce everything, but we can specialize. For example, Malta’s success in producing high-quality potatoes for export inspires us. Similarly, Mauritius must focus on products that highlight our uniqueness and strengthen our brand identity internationally.
Our goal is to reduce import costs, enhance competitiveness, and promote innovation. COVID-19 was a major eye-opener, it taught us to reassess self-sufficiency and resilience.
4. You’ve mentioned that Mauritius has undergone significant transformation since independence. Could you elaborate on that evolution?
At independence, there was uncertainty among the private sector, which was then dominated by the Franco-Mauritian community. Over time, Mauritius democratized its economy without any violent disruption. Rent seeking like prejudice is past history.
The father of the nation, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, showed great wisdom. He ensured that political stability and private-sector participation went hand in hand. Mauritius diversified into textiles, tourism, offshore banking, and IT.
We’ve evolved from an overcrowded island into a technologically advancing nation. Yet, we now face a shrinking labour force, which is why we believe in circular migration, bringing in skilled and manual labour to support our agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Yet in the late sixties we were described as an overcrowded barracoon by late V.S. Naipaul .
We are promoting automation and holding national dialogues on the blue economy, covering areas such as port development, sustainable tourism, and marine resource management.
Mauritius remains a vibrant democracy with strong institutions, the judiciary, executive, press, and legislature each play their role. Public debate is alive and well, and citizens freely express their views. Government decisions must reflect the will of the people.
5. Finally, what message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers?
Khaleej Times has a wide and influential readership, and I want its readers to know that Mauritius is a country on the rise. From a small island developing state, we are now a big oceanic small state (BOSS) with immense potential.
We are a land of opportunities, deeply rooted in democratic values, equity, and openness. I warmly invite investors, partners, and friends from the UAE and beyond to come, explore, and invest in Mauritius. Together, we can build a sustainable and prosperous future.
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