Calf Productivity Incentive Scheme

28 June, 2013: The actual production of milk is 13 million litres per year compared to 2.5 million litres per year in 2005. This represents an increase 400%. But there is still a long way to go and this means that this sector has a lot of scope as Mauritius consumes 120 million litres of milk per year.

This statement was made yesterday at the Rabrindranath Tagore Institute, at Ilot by the Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security, Mr S. Faugoo during the launching of the Calf Productivity Incentive Scheme (CPIS).

This scheme is being introduced by the Small Farmers Welfare Fund (SFWF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security. It will be managed by the SFWF with the assistance of the Division of Veterinary Services (DVS).

The objective of this scheme is to stimulate breeders to keep their calves healthy and prevent mortality hence increasing our cattle and milk production in line with the National Food Security policy of the government. Cattle breeders registered with the SFWF and who have successfully bred their calves up to 3 months or above, provided the calves were not born before 1 January 2013, shall benefit from the Scheme.

A cash bonus of Rs 2,500/- per calf, up to a maximum of 30 weaned calves per year will be payable as incentive to the eligible breeder. A budget of Rs 3 million has been earmarked to finance the Scheme for 2013. Therefore the cash bonus would be granted on a first come first serve basis. Eligible Breeders need to apply for the cash bonus at the SFWF offices for their calf/calves which have reached the age of 3 months.

To benefit from the cash bonus, the breeder must ensure that his calf/calves has/have already been tagged by the DVS. The cash bonus shall be payable to the breeder, after acceptance of his application and certification of the existence of the said calf/calves through farm visits conducted by the Fund.

Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: infserv@intnet.mu Website:http://gis.gov.mu