 As Minister of Agriculture from 7 September 2000 to 7 October 2003 (under MSM-MMM government), Jugnauth reformed the sugar sector by diversification with production of ethanol, agricultural rhum, special sugars, electricity generation from bagasse and other high value added products.Besides production costs were significantly reduced in response to a drop in the protected sugar price under the Sugar Protocol with the European Union.He also negotiated a package for workers under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme which enabled around 8000 workers to retire with cash compensation exceeding 2.5 billion rupees and around 825 arpents of land worth 3 billion rupees.