Agricultural show values La Digue’s rich heritage |13 June 2016

A large crowd from Mahé and Praslin braved the rough seas on Saturday to join their compatriots from La Digue in the first agricultural and horticultural show to be held on the archipelago’s third largest island by population.

By the name of the event, viewers could have expected to see only agricultural and horticultural produce and products on display. They however got much more than they had bargained for as the event organised as part of activities to mark 40 years of Seychelles’ independence showcased a large part of La Digue’s rich cultural heritage.

The show which also saw the involvement of entrepreneurs from neighbouring Praslin and Frégate, had attracted exhibits in areas other than agriculture and horticulture. Those included arts and craft, gastronomy, garment as well as the Diguois traditional style of living.

President James Michel was on Saturday the guest of honour on the charming island which he holds very much at heart.

After the opening ceremony where the La Digue Cultural Troupe danced to the sound of Francois Havelock’s ‘La Digue’ and before a round of the different stands, the president helped carry on the island’s tradition by leading a tree planting ceremony in the grounds of l’Union Estate.

Other guests at the ceremony which was held in the garden of l’Union’s grann kaz or traditional house included Vice-President Danny Faure, government ministers, French ambassador Lionel Majesté-Larrouy, members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and district administrators (DAs) from Praslin and La Digue, other government officials and various members of the business community.

Welcoming them to the  traditional plantation through a speech worth a beautiful poem and reminiscent of various top artists from La Digue, MNA Chantal Ghislain reminded that the island’s heritage has played and continues to play an important role in the country’s socio-economic development.

Boasting that the inner islands have the potential of becoming the motor of Seychelles economy, she asked businesses from there to seize the possibilities available to further develop their island and country.

Officially launching the show along with Diguois traditional farmer Jimmy Mellon who rang the opening bell, Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Wallace Cosgrow remarked that the exhibited products represent the harvest from our sea and land; the fruits of our everyday work.

He added that this is what keeps us connected to nature which he said is the wealth of our country and the source of our lives.

Mr Cosgrow further underlined that along with other traditional activities, fisheries and agriculture bring a better life to every Seychellois, while contributing to their good health.

The minister renewed government support to the sector through loans with preferential rates and infrastructure development with the help of foreign partners.

He at the same time renewed the call for all Seychellois families to turn their homes into a vegetable and husbandry garden. 

The Inner Islands’ Agricultural and Horticultural Show remained opened until yesterday evening when winners in the different exhibit categories were presented with prizes.

In a typical Diguois ambience, the sounds of moutya and mardilo were carried until late by the strong winds of the prevailing south-east monsoon.

The accompanying photos, taken by Romano Laurence, show highlights of the opening ceremony and visitors touring the various stalls.