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4.16. The Seychelles National Agriculture Investment Plan's (SNAIP) total budget over 2015-20 is estimated at SCR 1,582 million (about USD 127 million), covering five areas: (i) protection and sustainable use of agriculture land and water, SCR 122.2 million (USD 9.9 million) (...) (iii) sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development, SCR 789.7 million (USD 63.78 million) (...)

4.18. The National Food and Nutrition Security Policy (NFNSP) was developed in 2013 to ensure effective, efficient food security through increased sustainable agricultural production and to strengthen and align institutional capacity to respond to changes/shocks in the global food security situation. (...)

4.19. (...) the National Policy on the Allocation and Retraction of State Agricultural Land was launched with an overall objective to govern the land tenure, land administration, and management of state agricultural land. It aims to ensure that land and water are secured and used efficiently and sustainably and are protected from encroachment from alternative uses (particularly tourism and residential housing), and that it is allocated in a manner that is fair, equitable, and transparent. (...)

4.20. The Access and Benefit Sharing Policy provides a national framework for access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization. It aims at fulfilling Seychelles' commitments to the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of biodiversity and associated ecosystems and traditional knowledge in particular under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and related treaties, such as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT-PGRFA) articulated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

4.21. The Cinnamon Policy, under the Department of Environment, aims to (...) revitalize the industry by ensuring that the resource is managed in an efficient and sustainable manner.

4.29. (...) The notified Green Box expenditures are for research, pest and disease control, training services, extension and advisory services, infrastructural services, and payments for relief from natural disasters.

4.39. Seychelles' forestry industry is generally perceived as marginal. However, its indirect economic and environmental benefits are considerable. For example, the amenity provided by the forests is extremely important for the tourism industry. The extremely vulnerable water supply is highly dependent on the vegetation cover provided by forests. Forest areas are estimated at 33,700 ha. About 90% of the forests are natural with plantations established for commercial purposes covering some 4,800 ha. Although the forest ecosystem is largely secondary with significant levels of invasive species, it still offers a wealth of biological diversity and protects inland water ecosystems and important watersheds.

4.40. (...) The Government has recognized the need to sustainably manage, regulate, and control the use of forests and is currently preparing, with the support of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a new forestry policy and legislation, as well as an action plan and road map for implementation. The aim is to enhance stakeholder participation in national forest programmes and contribute to assessment of forest legislation, as well as assist with the monitoring of sustainable forest management.

4.42. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Seychelles has managed to reduce deforestation over the years, thanks to good environmental management policies. In addition, good policy steering and governance, and adequate land tenure security have contributed to improved biodiversity conservation, making Seychelles the first country in the western Indian Ocean region to designate marine protected areas.

4.47. On 24 February 2020, the Seychelles and the European Union (EU) signed a new six year sustainable fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA) and associated implementing protocol. It sets out the fishing opportunities for EU vessels, the financial compensation to be paid by the European Union, and the modalities of sectoral support to the fishing industry of Seychelles. The SFPA covers the period 24 February 2020 to 23 February 2026, with an EU financial contribution of EUR 5.3 million per year, of which EUR 2.8 million is earmarked for the support of the fisheries policies of Seychelles.