Seychelles Strategic and Land Use and Development Plan 2040.

This Seychelles Strategic and Land Use and Development Plan 2040 is a multi-sectoral policy document, which sets out the long term spatial planning framework for the country up to 2040. The vision is: An inclusive, proud, happy and healthy Island Nation with a resilient economy and a pristine environment which provides an attractive place to visit, invest, work and live.
The Plan promotes to strengthen the agricultural sector and to ensuring food and nutrition security through support for smaller scale agricultural enterprises as well as medium scale crop production and livestock farming. The objective is to position the agricultural sector as complementary to the blue economy and tourism and to improve linkages and supply-chains between these sectors. Increased productivity and best use of agricultural land will be promoted through Farm Production Plans. The Government will work with the private sector and international agencies to increase agricultural productivity, reduce dependency on imported food and ensure food and nutrition security. Priority will be given to the following initiatives: measures to increase crop and livestock productivity; measures to bring underutilised agricultural land back into use; identification and promotion of opportunities for agricultural production on outer islands; investment in new infrastructure to support development of the agricultural sector; promotion of agro-forestry and establishment of community gardens.
The Plan has identified strategies for enhancing agricultural production and protecting environment and agricultural land. The release of agricultural land for development will not be permitted unless: 1) the land does not form part of a viable agricultural unit and is not capable of productive agricultural use; 2) the release of land for alternative development would not impact on the productivity of any remaining or adjacent agricultural land holding; or 3) there are firm proposals for existing viable agricultural activities to be relocated to an alternative site of equivalent quality. The Government will only permit release of non-statutory protected Buffer Zones and Forest Reserves and land reclamation where the need is demonstrated and no other suitable land exists. The Government will also take measures for: the creation of protected and non-touch areas to allow for fish stock reconstitution, enhancing biodiversity through the identification of Linking Habitat Areas between Key Biodiversity Areas, control of the importation and spread of invasive species, and ensuring Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
The Plan seeks to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems though initiatives such as: introduction of modern agricultural practices including use of new and innovative technologies, integrated crop management and sustainable land use; transformation, conservation, and commercialisation of value-added products in selected commodity chains; regional and international collaboration in applied agricultural research and modernisation of agricultural extension services to increase agricultural production and farm incomes; intensification of agricultural production and improved management and use of land and water resources; management and conservation of genetic resources; capacity building and institutional development, including training in smart agricultural practices and technologies; and access to finance for investment in agricultural holdings and enterprises. The Government will support the growth of the blue economy and to enhance sector competitiveness. Subject to assessment and mitigation of potential environmental impacts, initiatives will be supported for the development of: fishing and fisheries, aquaculture and mariculture; For the fisheries sector, the focus will be on: increasing profitability and value by landing and ideally processing a higher proportion of the catch on the islands; increasing Seychellois ownership in the processing industry; and encouraging greater exports of both raw and processed fish (within the context of sustainable stock management).
To address the challenges of climate change the Government shall support adaption measures, which include: ensuring that opportunities and options for sustainable flood management and protection of habitats and species are actively promoted; locating strategic development where there is greatest protection from impacts such as flooding, landslides, coastal erosion and storms; ensuring existing infrastructure including roads is protected from natural hazards; ensuring new and existing building stock is more resilient to climate change impacts, including incorporating high standards of water efficiency; developing sustainable new water resources; etc.