Bats: Rs 50 Million Damage

10 years, 6 months ago - October 21, 2013

Bats continue to do damage. The community of farmers faced with difficult situations as they ravage frugivorous fruit trees each year. Thus, there is an annual loss of Rs 50 million. This is indicated by experts from the Ministry of Agro-Industry in charge of controlling the population of these flying mammals that eat seasonal fruits including lychees, longan, mango, among others.

Faced with this difficult situation where frugivorous ravage fruit trees each year, the Ministry of Agro -Industry has decided to amend the Fruit Protection Scheme 2013. Now, a fruit grower can buy 10 nets, instead of three , to protect fruit trees.
So far, the implementation of Fruit Protection Scheme has produced expected from farmers and individual results. According to statistics, about 654 farmers have benefited from the plan last year. A sum of Rs 6,000,000 was disbursed by the Ministry of Agro - industry so that they can buy protective netting . Through this plan, the farmer pays only 25 % of the cost of a net. Farmers bought 1500 nets last year.
The use of nets also had the expected results. A study by the Agricultural Research and Extension Unit ( AREU ) , showed that the production of litchi , longan and mango increased in 2012 through the use of these nets . The farmers and exported 390.2 tons of fruit in 2012 contre132 , 9 tonnes in 2011. Mauritius exported fruits worth Rs 56 million in 2012. The use of nets was a resounding success.
Growers have submitted claims to the Ministry of Agro-Industry for the Fruit Protection Scheme is also amended and extended to Rodrigues . A committee was established , chaired by the National Parks and Conservation Service , in September 2012 to consider the recommendations made ??by the International Union of Conservation of Nature in relation to the population of bats in Mauritius.
Recommendations have been made for more action. Some include the planting of jackfruit and other fruit trees Bras d'Eau National Park and forest restoration . Of jackfruit have been planted in Bras d'Eau National Park. The department of woods and forests will soon plant fruit along rivers and reserves located in the mountains trees. Approximately 60 acres of forest have already been rehabilitated and trees such as ebony and ' wooden mat ' were planted for bats eat fruit in the forests and mountains .
The goal is to make their search for food away from home growers .

Text by Le Matinal

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