Hog farmers are poised to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Indeed after meeting officials from the Ministry of Agro Industry and Social Integration, Father Jocelyn Grégoire have finally got the promise that these two departments will provide financial support to pig farmers. "We must first clarify that this was made ??possible thanks to the intervention of the Prime Minister," said a close associate of the priest.
Indeed, during a face-to-head with the head of government on August 11, he had assured the President of the FCM that he would ask the authorities concerned to assist farmers who are in difficulty after the swine flu had affected their livestock. "We are delighted that after having had several working sessions with the officers, pig farmers can finally breathe," said the leader of the FCM.
The state had in 2007 announced an increase in the compensation paid to pig farmers. It was concluded that farmers with breeding pigs under 20 would receive a monthly compensation of Rs 4000, while those with between 21 and 50 animals, would receive a compensation of Rs 5500, while farmers with more than 52 animals would get a compensation of Rs 6500. A source from the Ministry of Agro Industry tells us that these funds were "frozen".
This has repeatedly been criticized by farmers, who at the same time expressed their discontent in the streets of the capital on 13 July. Waving banners and placards and shouting at the injustice, the members of the Mauritius Pig Marketting Cooperative Federation and the Federation of pig farmers cried foul.
Rose Delima Bégué, president of the Mauritius Pig Marketing Cooperative Federation at this event had deplored the false hope given by the government since 2007.