Mauritius is on track to revitalising its tea sector.
In an effort to better assist and motivate smallholder tea growers during the country’s winter period, the Mauritian government has given MUR3.86 million to the nation’s Small Farmers Welfare Fund, to be used as payment of some 1 100 tea growers in terms of the Winter Tea Allowance.
The monthly income support during the three-month season is being increased from 50 cents per kilo of harvested tea leaves to 75 cents.
Annual production currently stands at 1 400 tons, with 7% growth per annum. In line with the government’s commitment to supporting the tea sector, which it considers to have the potential to play an important role in the economy, efforts have been made to attract investment while additional plantation land has also been identified.