President Faure entertains long-serving female farmers |09 March 2018

President Danny Faure received a group of 21 female farmers and 6 technicians from the agricultural laboratory yesterday at State House. The audience was to commemorate the International Women’s Day.

In attendance were the Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture Pamela Charlette and the principal secretary for Agriculture Antoine-Marie Moustache.

The occasion was also the prime opportunity for President Faure to formally present the new chief executive of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA), Linetta Estico, with her instruments of appointment (see separate story).

Formerly the deputy CEO of SAA, Mrs Estico has over 30 years of experience in the agricultural field and replaces Finley Racombo who retired on March 5, partly due to his health.

The newly appointed CEO explained that the main purpose of their delegation’s visit to State House was to give the group of experienced female farmers the opportunity to interact with the President.

“Most of the women present today have been working in the agricultural industry for a very a long time. They have contributed immensely to that sector and they were glad to have this dialogue with the President,” Mrs Estico stated.

Once treated to roses, tea and cake, the farmers and technicians were able to sit down with the head of state and share their experiences and their propositions for the agricultural industry.

Christina Pothin from AMC farm at Val D’Andorre has been farming for over 20 years and stated that women should become more self-sufficient and work hard for the betterment of their families, themselves and their country.

71-year-old Mena Celestine revealed that she started farming as a small child with her father and has not stopped since.

Both farmers acknowledged that the local agricultural industry is currently facing many challenges such as the lack of youths, especially young women, to take up the initiative.

On her side, Mrs Estico relayed that one of her priorities in her new post as CEO of the SAA is to encourage both youths and females into the agricultural domain.

She further added that the SAA plans to provide farmers with improved services and facilities.

“We want to encourage our farmers to increase food production to ensure our national food security, but this can only be achieved if we provide them with the proper tools and facilities,” she said.