Construction companies get Orchid Farm land
The former SMB Orchid farm at Barbarons has been carved up into three pieces. The land has been designated for farming but it is three construction companies that will get them.
Agriculture principal secretary Veronique Herminie confirmed to Regar that the land had been sub-divided and allocated for farming projects. She could not confirm who had obtained the allocations and said these has not been finalized.
Regar has learned however that the ones earmarked are the Yangstze Construction company, Allied Builders and Franky Petrousse of Island Construction. If these are confirmed, it will be a situation that demands some answers.
If the Government has identified this area for farming, construction companies are not the obvious choice. This seems like just giving more to those who have instead of trying to open up the possibilities for others.
There were no tender bids for these plots. Mrs. Herminie said land for agriculture is allocated in consultation with the district and not by tender. This makes it even more strange.
These companies have no special ties to Barbarons or to Grand Anse district, so why them? The Government may be aiming for large-scale agriculture on the justification that this is more efficient. More efficient farming can, in turn, lead to more regular production and lower prices. But surely there are others, who do not have big businesses already, who would be ready to invest in modern agricultural methods. There are many engaged in agriculture who need larger areas. Turning small farmers into larger one ones seems a lot more desirable than turning construction companies into farmers. And then, there is a case for giving small farmers a chance too.
The benefits that these construction companies will bring are dubious. First of all, they are going to rely on foreign labour.
Seychelles agriculture is traditionally small-scale and uses self-employed labour, or employees with some personal relationship to the owner. Seychellois are unlikely to go for jobs on farms run by these construction companies, who will be wanting to pay wages on the level of China or India. The profits too will go to China and India. It will be a repetition of the construction industry and the tourism industry.
Opening up opportunities for Seychellois is today one of the principles that we have to take seriously. We need to encourage entrepreneurship and give Seychellois the chance to build their country. Giving everything to a few companies already on the scene is not very healthy for the long term.
Source: Regar 5-29-09