The use of modern technologies is becoming omnipresent in agricultural cultivations. Technology-based farming for crop production englobes techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, shelter farming and vertical farming. It is a fact that the demand for vegetables produced through hi-tech systems is rising both at local and regional levels.

To encourage the development of new growth poles, Government has initiated the development of a nutraceutical framework to give impetus to the nutraceutical sector which is emerging as a key industry in the world. Therefore, to establish the right ecosystem for the transformation of crops with high nutraceutical potential into value-added products, Government has introduced new measures. Hence, foreign companies investing in the nutraceutical sector will be granted an 8-years tax holiday.

The Government has announced the development of an agri-food development programme towards strategic food crop production in line with local demand. The objective is to promote the Farm to Fork concept and ensure food security and reduce our dependency on imports by encouraging local investors/farmers to move up the value-added chain.  

To achieve this objective, a centralised digital Land Bank of State and Private Agricultural Land will be set-up under Landscope Mauritius Ltd as a platform to connect landowners with potential agro-producers. Moreover, FAREI will develop the necessary standards and norms for production, storage, transformation and commercialization of super-foods.

Increasing concerns of consumers on the negative impacts of agro chemicals on their health has led to a sharp increase in demand for fruits and vegetables produced through sustainable means. Government is therefore encouraging production of Bio products and is facilitating investment in this field. Moreover, the adoption of the Use of Pesticides Act by Parliament in 2018 gives more impetus to the development of a Bio-based agricultural industry.