Seychelles has introduced new measures to boost food security as uncertainty in the Gulf begins to affect supply chains and local demand.
The Seychelles Trading Company (STC) will work with local producers following a government decision aimed at protecting food supply in Seychelles.
According to the Principal Secretary for the Department of Fisheries, Roy Clarisse, the initiative forms part of a wider response to reduce the impact of disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East.
He said the programme, developed in collaboration with farmers and fishers, is designed to maintain food availability during a period of uncertainty.
Mr Clarisse said STC will sign contracts with fish processors to purchase excess fish brought in by fishermen. He added that this will help build a reserve ahead of the southeast monsoon.
“This will enable fishermen to sustain their economic activities despite the decline in tourist arrivals, which has reduced demand from hotels to fish processors. Through this program, fishermen will still have a reliable market to sell their catch via processors,” Mr Clarisse said.
He stressed that STC will not buy fish directly from fishermen. Instead, it will work through processors who have agreed to participate. The fish will then be sold to the public through STC outlets.
Mr Clarisse said all five registered fish processors in Seychelles were invited to join the programme, but only three accepted.
“We asked all five fish processors registered in Seychelles, but we got only three. They are Ocean Basket, Amirante Fisheries and Pascalo,” he added.
In the agriculture sector, STC will also support farmers through contract farming. This will allow poultry farmers to sell chicken meat directly to the company.
The Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Keven Nancy, said the initiative will initially involve five farmers.
“Contracts are currently being finalized to ensure this can be implemented promptly. This initiative comes in response to the ongoing crisis in the Gulf region, particularly with Dubai serving as a key hub, which is affecting imports from Brazil that transit through Dubai. The conflict has disrupted supply chains, leading to a shortage of chicken meat in Seychelles,” Mr Nancy said.
He added that the arrangement will allow farmers to continue production with a guaranteed buyer.
“This will enable farmers to maintain their production in case the situation in the Gulf worsens,” he said.
The government said the programme will apply only to chicken, as broiler meat remains in high demand.
Mr Nancy also confirmed that discussions are under way to provide subsidies for animal feed. He noted that about 65% of the cost of running a chicken farm is linked to feed.