Mauritius Cane Industry Authority unveils Action Plan to boost sugar production to 250,000 tonnes by 2028

The Mauritius Cane Industry Authority (MCIA) has elaborated an action plan aimed at progressively increasing sugar production to 250,000 tonnes by the end of the 2028/29 financial year. The proposed policies and reforms are expected to further raise annual output to nearly 300,000 tonnes by 2032.

The plan was presented to stakeholders, yesterday, in Réduit, by the Chairperson of the MCIA, Mr Nitish Benimadhu, and the Director of the Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute (MSIRI), Dr Suman Seeruttun, in the presence of the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell.

It outlines an integrated approach focused on enhancing existing practices while addressing key weaknesses within the production system. Six priority areas have been identified, namely land, labour, yield-maximising policies, water, machinery, and the price of sugar and incentives.

In his opening remarks, Dr Boolell underscored the need for policies that are both practicable and implementable. He called for a clearly defined roadmap characterised by clarity, predictability and certainty, supported by research to ensure effective delivery and market viability. He also underscored Mauritius’s reputation for reliability and urged the MCIA to strengthen its investment in research and development in order to re-establish itself as a centre of reference.

The Minister moreover stated that the plan presents an opportunity to increase the production of bagasse, given its calorific value amid an ongoing energy crisis. In this context, he stressed the importance of ensuring that planters receive fair revenue.

Addressing broader challenges within the agricultural sector, Dr Boolell pointed to issues such as land preparation and workforce constraints, which must be resolved to enhance food security. He raised concern over the encroachment of prime agricultural land and urged for improved planning, highlighting that such land should be protected and only converted in exceptional cases for projects of national interest.

Furthermore, the Minister appealed to heads of institutions and organisations to meet expectations and uphold accountability. He put forward the importance of the judicious use of allocated budgets to support agricultural projects, whether horizontal, vertical or cluster-based. However, he deplored institutional delays that are hindering progress while there is growing interest from investors in the sector.

26 March 2026

Email: gis@govmu.org

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Topics: Agriculture, Energy, Trade

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