LAR San Frontyer honours Val d'Andorre senior farmers |04 October 2023
The LAR San Frontyer Association, a non-profit poetry and literary organisation, celebrated the achievements of 19 senior farmers from Val d'Andorre at the sub district’s community centre last Sunday.
Recognising the invaluable contribution of these senior farmers to Seychelles' agricultural history, the LSF executive committee, in collaboration with the Baie Lazare district administration office and the Val d'Andorre Farmers’ Association Committee, organised this special event.
Linda Hoareau, LSF founder and chairperson of the management committee, expressed the importance of acknowledging these senior farmers.
“There are few of them left and we have to acknowledge them now as most are in their eighties and over. We have to thank them for their long hard working years and devotion in the farming sector and also to prove to them how much they are valued and appreciated.”
Also present for the ceremony was the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, who expressed gratitude to the farmers for their unwavering commitment to their profession.
He recognised their role in sustaining Seychelles' food supply and their adaptability in the face of challenges such as climate change.
“As the world is evolving and we are facing with climate change issues, geo-politics issues, you still maintain the traditional aspect of agriculture and also to adapt to climate smart agriculture. This type of agriculture minimises impact on the environment and on the biodiversity.”
“While honouring our farmers we have to acknowledge the amount of knowledge the farmers possess and try our best to learn the maximum from them. I also seize the opportunity to reassure our senior farmers that we will support them. It is our duty as a nation to keep taking care of you all,” stated the minister.
He pledged the government’s continued support to the senior farmers, emphasising the nation's duty to care for them.
The honoured farmers were Laurette Bonne, Demien Hoareau, Micheline Boniface, Mita Lesperance, Elbert Desaubin, Patrick Lesperance, Emile Dodin, Yola Lepathy, Therese Dodin, Guy Mathurin, Winnie Esparon, Lucy Mondon, Flora Freminot, Louita Octobre, George Furneau, Philomen Philoe, Robert George, Queency Vidot, and Georges Furneau.
The LAR San Frontyer Association, registered on July 1, 2019, consists of eight executive and ordinary members. Its primary objectives include organising local and international workshops and activities, fostering poetry and literary opportunities, promoting various art forms, and supporting artists in their creative journeys.
The association's first activity was teaching poetry and literature at the Baie Lazare primary school, where 19 students aged six to nine were trained as poets.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the event on Sunday.
Vidya Gappy
Photos: Contributed
