Mauritius: The Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram, performed, yesterday at Mohabeer Burrenchobay Government School in Plaine Magnien, the ground-breaking ceremony for a Bio-Farming Agro-Ecology project. The project is the first of its kind to be implemented in a local primary school and is sponsored to the tune of some Rs 59,000 by Omnicane Limited.
The Member of Parliament, Rameswar Doolub; the Group Chief Sustainability Officer of Omnicane Limited, Rajiv Ramlugon; the Director of FarmBasket and member of the Rotary Club of Albion, Ravi Rambujoo; the Headmistress of Mohabeer Burrenchobay Government School, Simla Potavadoo; the Holistic Educator and Project Coordinator, Nawsheen Dullull; and other personalities were also present on this occasion.
In a statement, Minister Hurreeram commended this initiative from Omnicane Limited and the Rotary Club of Albion, which aims at sensitising students on the need to achieve food security and self-sufficiency, which is one of the main aims of the Government.
He highlighted that this project resembles backyard gardening, where fruits and vegetables are grown for one’s own use in a bid to be less dependent on imported products. The Minister also emphasised the importance of inculcating such values in the youth so that future generations can eat healthy food and remain in good health.
For his part, Doolub underlined that the project is appropriate as students will have the opportunity to learn good practices and encourage their parents and peers to cultivate some vegetables for their own use. He likewise expressed hope that the project will be implemented in other schools in the country. This will not only enable students to consume healthy food but also allow them to practice physical activity, he added.
As for Ramlugon, he indicated that this project is a good example of sustainable community development. He stated that students will thus be able to grow organic products while being respectful of the environment.
Mr Rambujoo, for his part, observed that the project, also known as ‘Sprout Club’, will enable students to learn how to cultivate fruits and vegetables without the use of pesticides. He underscored that FarmBasket will also provide the necessary know-how so as to effectively implement this project.
For her part, the Project Coordinator outlined that the Bio-Farming Agro-Ecology project forms part of the Eco-School initiative. Dullull informed that the concept of ‘Sprout Club’, which targets students of Grade 5, revolves around bio-farming while promoting a circular economy through sustainability. This Bio-Farming Agro-Ecology project, she affirmed, will encourage students to become self-resilient for a more sustainable and green country.
