National Day celebrations – agricultural and horticultural show on Praslin |16 June 2014

Farmers display quality harvests

Farmers from Praslin, La Digue and even from Mahé displayed quality produce and animals in the first agricultural and horticultural show on Praslin at the weekend.
Fruit, vegetables, flowers, chickens, ducks, cows, goats, guinea pigs and other animals were all on show.

President James Michel graced the event with his presence and thanked the National Day celebrations organising committee for taking the initiative to organise the event for the first time on Praslin.
“It is a good initiative as not all National Day activities which are for the whole population should take place on Mahé. Praslinois and Diguois have been given the opportunity to express themselves and they have done it very well,” said President Michel who was accompanied by his daughter Laeticia.

He added: “The displays prove that Praslin and La Digue still boast the capacity to produce fruit, vegetables and crops. The government now has to empower these farmers to continue producing better produce and by using new scientific methods to produce more food. I am fascinated by the interest shown by Praslinois and Diguois who have displayed their best produce and products. I would like to congratulate all those who have taken part in the show and urge them not to wait until only during the National Day to showcase their produce to members of the public but organise fairs in the future.”

The President, who has worked for a long time as Parti Lepep’s central committee representative for Praslin, also called on young Praslinois and Diguois to follow in the footsteps of their parents by growing food for the country’s consumption.

The agricultural and horticultural show took place on the playing field on Eve Island, while the opening ceremony was at the Baie Ste Anne primary school, also on Eve Island.
On Saturday, the show was open until 6pm and yesterday it closed at 3pm.

Food producing entrepreneurs, artists and other socio-economic actors on Praslin and La Digue used the show to showcase their produce and products. The aims of the show were to provide a platform of interaction for buyers and sellers, particularly those purchasing for hotels as there has been much complaints on the low marketability of farm produce on Praslin and La Digue; to valorise organisational skills of the various stakeholders of Praslin in collaborative actions with the district administration offices of Praslin and to provide two days of entertainment and education for both residents and visitors.

There were 35 competitive categories and the winners in each category were displayed on the exhibits. In the competitive domain there were floral arrangements of both living and dried flowers, root crops, leafy vegetables, fruit vegetables and fruit arrangements, arts and crafts.

Products on sale in the non-competitive category included flowers, coconuts, fruit and vegetable trees, potted flowers, raw agricultural produce, locally produced food items, processed agricultural produce as well as cooked dishes, drinks and refreshments.

Speaking to Seychelles Nation, Antoine Marie Moustache, a member of the organising committee, said the produce were judged in terms of their quality and class, for example the fruit and animals had to be without defects.

He also said the organisers are very satisfied with the level of involvement of Praslinois, Diguois and people from Mahé.
“The level of involvement has surpassed our expectations. We did not have enough stalls for everybody and those who could not get a stall still came and took part. We congratulate the Praslinois and Diguois for making the show a success,” said Mr Moustache who also thanked the private sector and sponsors for their strong role played in the organisation of the show.

Praslin fishermen also took the opportunity to display their catch in the newly introduced fisheries products category.
Our photos show guests viewing some of the displays in the show.