Mauritius to host ‘Les Assises de L’Agriculture’ on Sustainable Food Systems

Mauritius: “Les Assises de L’Agriculture” will be held from 16 to 20 March 2023 at the Côte D’Or National Sports Complex at the initiative of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security and the Economic Development Board (E.D.B.). The theme of the event is Pathways to a Sustainable Food System for a Healthier Tomorrow.

The opening ceremony, scheduled on 16 March 2023, will be graced by the presence of Mauritius President, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, and the Attorney-General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin.

The event will comprise a symposium of presentations on diverse agricultural themes; an exhibition on production/value addition techniques; and an exhibition/fair on agricultural products as well as equipment and machineries.

The symposium will be a platform to gather local stakeholders with a view to sharing experiences as well as discussing and proposing actions that will support the endeavour of increasing local production and reducing reliance on imports of food stuff. It will be an opportunity to review the agri-food systems and reflect on strategies to be adopted to attain self-sufficiency in strategic crops.

Several areas of focus will be addressed during the symposium, namely: Technology adoption, diversification and boosting production; value chains, contract farming, processing and off-takes; and resilience to climate change and best practices. The last session would focus on devising a roadmap for sustainable agriculture and enhanced food security.

With a view to encouraging the youth to join the agri–food sector, some 250 students from Grades 10 to 13 from schools in the vicinity of Côte D’Or, namely Queen Elizabeth College, Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Mahatma Gandhi State Secondary School, Loreto Convent Saint Pierre, and D.A.V. College will be participating. Students of all schools have been invited to visit the stalls. The event aims to increase interest in Agro-Processing activities and act as an incentive to increase the consumption of locally produced fruits and vegetables.

Participants in the fair will comprise the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which will provide health check services and sensitisation on healthy food habits; the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping; the Ministry of Industrial Development, S.M.E.s and Cooperatives; the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute; the Agricultural Services; the Agricultural Marketing Board; the Small Farmers Welfare Fund; Financial Institutions; Service Providers in the agricultural sector; Agri-Tech Sector; Mauritius Cane Industry Authority; State Trading Corporation; Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture; and farmers engaged in a local production of fruits, vegetables, plants and animal production, amongst others.

Shuttle Service will be provided by UBS Ltd and Rose Hill Transport Ltd from 16 to 20 March 2023 from Port Louis and Réduit.