Minister Idith Alexander has begun a series of weekly workplace visits across the country. On Friday, 13 March 2026, she toured six farms in Au Cap and Anse Royale to identify challenges faced by farmers and promote agricultural development.

Her first stops were Simon Belle Farm and Phil’s Organic Farm in Au Cap, followed by visits to R-Farm, Jojo’s Farm, Geoffroy’s Farm, and Jacque Matombe’s Farm in Anse Royale. Minister Alexander was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Employment and Human Resource Planning. The delegation inspected crops, storage facilities, and staff accommodations.

The farmers’ most pressing concern was the shortage of manpower, a persistent issue in the agricultural sector. They reported difficulties in hiring Seychellois workers, citing unreliability that disrupts operations. One farm also raised concerns about theft involving certain foreign workers. Retaining young farmers was another challenge, with calls for targeted strategies to encourage graduates from the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH) to remain in the sector. Farmers further expressed frustration with the lengthy Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP) process, which they believe negatively impacts production.

Additional challenges included flooding on farmlands, poor-quality pesticides and fertilizers, crop diseases caused by pests, and difficulties in repaying loans. Despite these concerns, the delegation was encouraged by innovations at Geoffroy’s Farm, which is adopting eco-friendly practices. Owner, Mr. Jean-Paul Geoffroy has invested in modern equipment such as water filtration and storage systems, laboratory facilities for plant and seed samples, and hydroponics infrastructure. The farm has also employed a young agronomist from South Africa, Ms. Jancke van Wyk, to advise on soil health, disease prevention, and crop quality improvement.

Minister Alexander commended My Geffroy’s initiatives and stressed on the importance of innovation in sustainable farming. She urged all farmers to increase local production, especially in light of global uncertainties and reassured them of government’s commitment to support and empower them.

Issues raised during the visits will be taken into account when drafting future employment policies.