Livestock subsidies have returned for registered farmers after the government approved a new support package for the sector.
Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy Wallace Cosgrow announced the measures in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Mr Cosgrow said the government introduced the measures to provide immediate relief to livestock farmers and encourage them to increase production. He said the move also aims to strengthen local food production and improve food security.
“Following consultations with key partners and an analysis of the challenges identified by farmers, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a series of measures in June 2026 to assist livestock farmers, with the aim of reviving the sector. Unfortunately, since the 2023 decision to discontinue the animal feed subsidy programme, the sector has been brought to its knees,” said Mr Cosgrow.
The minister said the measures took effect on 1 August 2026.
Under the new scheme, registered livestock farmers will receive subsidies of up to 30% on animal feed. The government will pay the subsidy directly to registered farmers instead of suppliers, unlike the previous programme. Mr Cosgrow said the government calculated the subsidy based on animal feed prices recorded in April 2026.
He said, for example, that a 50kg bag of broiler starter feed costing SCR500 will receive a government subsidy of SCR150. Farmers will therefore pay SCR350.
The government will also increase support for carcass throughput. Mr Cosgrow said the subsidy for chicken meat will increase from SCR2.30 per kilogram to SCR2.90 per kilogram. For pork, the subsidy will rise from SCR6.50 per kilogram to SCR8.45 per kilogram.
In addition, the government will subsidise slaughter services. For chicken, the government will contribute SCR5, while farmers will pay SCR2. For pork, the government will contribute SCR400 and farmers will pay SCR100.
Mr Cosgrow said discussions with the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) are continuing to support farmers’ access to the local market to sell their produce.
He also confirmed that the government will monitor the implementation of the measures.
“The government will monitor these measures to ensure they are being applied according to the law that governs public funds and guarantees that public funds are being used responsibly,” said Mr Cosgrow.
The minister said the measures aim to have a direct impact on consumers. He added that the government will review the subsidies every six months in consultation with key partners.