The Centre for Agricultural Biosciences International (CABI) hosted a one-day consultative workshop at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel in Port Louis. The event brought together key stakeholders from Mauritius’ agrifood sector. The workshop aimed to foster discussions on achieving food security, strengthening partnerships, and encouraging innovation for sustainable growth in agriculture.
Workshop Objectives
The workshop set out to:
- Understand how Mauritius’ agricultural system aligns with CABI’s mission.
- Identify and prioritize the sector’s key challenges.
- Propose practical solutions and develop a collective action plan.
- Strengthen collaboration among agrifood stakeholders.
Mr. Satydanand Aujeet’s Address
Mr. Satydanand Aujeet, Supervising Officer of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, highlighted the importance of the workshop’s focus areas. These issues align closely with the government’s priorities. He noted that the event would deepen Mauritius’ partnership with CABI. As a result, participants can benefit from CABI’s global networks and expertise. This includes crop health, climate change adaptation, and seed system development.
Since joining CABI in 1986, Mauritius has accessed critical resources such as pest risk analysis tools and plant health diagnostics. Mr. Aujeet stressed the need to enhance these collaborations. Doing so will help Mauritius fully leverage the benefits of its CABI membership.
Focus on Agricultural Transformation
The Ministry’s Strategic Plan emphasizes transforming the agricultural sector. Key policy goals include:
- Boosting food and nutrition security.
- Achieving food self-sufficiency.
- Increasing productivity.
- Reducing pesticide use to promote sustainability and protect the environment.
Mr. Aujeet also pointed out the sector’s pressing challenges. Issues such as rising plant health threats, poor crop management, and the impacts of climate change continue to undermine resilience. Addressing these challenges is crucial for progress.
About CABI
CABI is an international, intergovernmental, not-for-profit organization. It works to improve lives worldwide by providing scientific expertise and practical solutions. These solutions target agriculture and environmental challenges. Guided by 48 member countries, CABI’s experts empower communities with the information, skills, and tools needed to tackle these issues.
