100 acres were allocated to garlic production in 2006, 100 more in 2009, and more are soon to come. The aim is to give the sector a boost and be self-sufficient. "The demand currently exceeds the offer. We must resolve this problem. We are still far from self-sufficiency’’ says Satish Faugoo.
Mauritius consumes 1,600 tons of garlic per year and only 20 tons are produced over this period. A large share of garlic is imported from China. The garlic industry is estimated at 50 million Rs.
A first step has been made with planters from the Camp-Diable Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Society who have decided to expand their potato plots to produce garlic and onions as well. 8 acres of land have been allocated to garlic plantation.