These are achieved through the permanent application of landscaping and soil conservation practices at field level. When flying above the island or driving through the countryside, one is always struck by the harmonious blend of perfectly drawn lines, all woven into a green landscape. Mauritius is famous for its infinite variety of green and this is no doubt an invaluable asset for the sustained development of its tourism sector. Mauritius has a very thin layer of top. Any loss or even partial erosion of that fertile stratum would have a highly damaging and irreversible effect on agriculture.
Soil conservation is therefore of the essence.
Sugar cane cultivation is providing a permanent cover to the soil all year round. Thrash from the cane plants is normally spread in the interrows and acts as a shield that protects the top soil while maintaining humidity and building up organic matter content. Additionally, the development of mechanical harvesting is making possible the development of green trashing, which provides an extended soil cover and therefore a more efficient control of soil erosion. Green trash also procures the advantage of controlling weeds, thus reducing or even eliminating the application of herbicides. In contrast with other agricultural crops, pest control in sugar cane cultivation in Mauritius does not call for the use of any pesticides.