Established local farmer concerned for our food security |24 May 2018

• ‘I urge all those who have the power to do so, to protect what is left’

Guynemer Antoine Corgat joined the agricultural industry fourteen years ago and today, he owns one of the largest farms (Freshway Farm) in Seychelles, as well as ‘Fresh Cuts’ butchery at Plaisance.

Mr Corgat is concerned that our food security is at great risk in Seychelles and shares with us what he believes to be some of the major challenges that the industry faces and some strategies to curb the situation.

Dependence on tourism industry

Tourism is our food basket and although this is true, this particular industry is hanging in a basket which can collapse at anytime and which will in turn, put our food security at risk. What will happen if a war breaks out in the Middle East? This is especially important to ask ourselves since most people in our population tend to have multiple meals a day.

Having said that, as a producer, I welcome sustainable growth and inclusivity in the tourism sector.The more we increase the number of arrivals, the more tourism establishments, hence the more mouths to feed. Are we going to continue to rely on import? Will this not drain the economy more? It is a well talked about fact that a large share of tourism revenue does not come to Seychelles.

More tourists means: more import, more foreign exchange required, larger share of revenue that does not end up in Seychelles and ‘peux de sou’ (very little money) - this does not add up. Is this sustainable and inclusive tourism?

There is much talk about food security in Seychelles, but more programmes need to be implemented to increase the supply of our local produce; we have the potential to produce a lot. We need to enhance efforts to improve and grow our agricultural industry, and in the process lessen our dependence on importsso that our food security is no longer at risk.

Imported chicken

In 2008, my farm stopped producing chicken for commercial sale when the country began importing chicken from Brazil which was deemed ‘cheaper’ than locally produced chicken. I informed the authorities that although it seems cheaper, consumers are actually paying more for it as 45% of imported chicken is made up of water.

One can make up their own mind on the health issues that this may pose on our population, not to forget the cost to tax payers.

We do not need to import chicken; we can produce enough ourselves to match local demand. I myself have space on my farm to produce chickens locally, but it would cost 16 million rupees to set up the facility, including an abattoir to slaughter about 2000 birds, making this a very difficult, expensive and daunting task.

The government placed a levy on imported chicken so that there would be 15% tax payable. In turn, consumers pay R5 for every kilo of chicken and this revenue is supposed to be allocated to local farmers for their production needs.

As such, Seychelles does not need to seek funding for our agriculture industry; the government can loan out money at a 2 – 3% interest rate to farmers using this same revenue that they are collecting. It would be easier for me as well to produce chicken on a commercial scale if I could benefit from such a loan.

To note, local pork production is also at risk of being affected by imports. The costs of the feed for pigs, as well as some other costs that are being imposed on the industry, are very high. This is demotivating for farmers since it forces them to increase their prices and eventually imported pork will be seen as a better option since it will also be deemed as cheaper.

Limited use of our natural & financial resources

I admit we cannot produce everything ourselves, e.g. we cannot grow apples in Seychelles, but why are we importing the likes of pumpkin from Egypt? We used to be able to produce a lot of bananas on the islands and there were cattle as well as herds of goats on some of them – why can’t we continue to do this?

We have 115 islands, each with their own potential and surrounded by ocean; we are a rich country and it is not difficult to look after our population. It is true that there are many types of pests and diseases affecting our crops, but it is still possible to cultivate crops on our other islands where such pests/diseases do not exist.

A major obstacle for local farmers is access to affordable finance; I myself paid 14 – 18% interest on loans that I have taken in the past to invest in my farm. How can anyone, let alone a farmer, grow on such financing terms? The saying goes, ‘Lavi peser i vreman dir’ (a fisherman’s life is very hard) but equally ‘Lavi planter i osi vreman dir’ (a farmer’s life is also very hard).

The fisheries department receives funds for their programmes, but the agriculture department does not. Any funds given for agricultural purposes from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is treated as a loan and is mainly given for research purposes.

In addition, the government lends money to small-scale farmers, artisanal fishers and backyard farmers, while determined but struggling farmers do not benefit from this.

Lack of proper farmland & infrastructure

One of the biggest challenges we face in farming is a lack of flat land. We have a lot of mountainous areas and as a result, the topography is not conducive for agriculture.

Additionally, when you lease farmland, you need to invest a lot of money to clear it and at the same time, you have to face many restrictions that are imposed by the Department of Environment.

There is also a lack of infrastructure in place, including water, electricity and proper road access. I myself had to pay a lot of money to service my farm with no assistance from the government, despite being told that access and utilities would be provided.

I did it because I needed to pay the hefty loan repayments and also because personally, I think it is fair that the business paid for it. However, many other small farmers cannot sustain such initial costs and more support must be given to them.

Infringement on agricultural land is another big threat to our existence as farmers and to the population’s food security.

Every year, we see more and more houses being built or land being sold in areas that are predominantly agricultural. For example, Val D’Andorre is an area which has always been predominantly agricultural. Today, the livelihood of famers in the area are under direct threat because of the needs and wants of the residents.

My herd of cattle has been making main stream and social media headlines for a good few years. On one hand, they are extremely useful to the farmers of Val D’Andorre, by grazing and providing nutrients to their land; on the other hand, they are a ‘nuisance’ to the residents of Val D’Andorre - what do you do in an agricultural zone? I urge all those who have the power to do so, to protect what is left.

To conclude, I would like to say to all leaders in the country, be it in the Executive or Legislative, to seriously focus on our national food security – it is a matter of national importance.

There are many Seychellois who are determined to contribute towards food security and to compete against the imported market. Give us the tools, not plans, but access to affordable financing so we can do our part.

I am 72 and have worked all my life. I sincerely hope that before I leave this world, I would be able to witness the commitment of our leaders towards food security. One always have to live with hope.

Photo credits: The Creative Studio - Seychelles