The initiative aims to bolster the self-sufficiency of both islands by enhancing local production capabilities and strengthening sustainable supply chains.
Mauritius and Seychelles rely heavily on food imports, with 77% and 90% of their food requirements being sourced externally, underscoring the fragility of their food systems to outside disruptions. The recent Ukraine conflict has further exacerbated the food insecurity in both nations due to supply chain disruptions and escalating food prices. In response to a call for proposals from the Joint SDG Fund Development Emergency Modality, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Mauritius & Seychelles effectively secured resources to assist the Governments of the two islands in fortifying their food systems.
Supporting Local Production of Affordable Bio-Fertilizers from Seaweeds in Mauritius
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund project, “Enhancing Food System Resilience in Mauritius and Seychelles by leveraging Sustainable Agricultural Approaches,” will enable Mauritius to manufacture low-cost bio-fertilizers from seaweeds to meet its food security demands. This initiative aims to reduce the reliance on imported chemical fertilizers and minimize vulnerability to external shocks. A feasibility study will assess the feasibility of utilizing seaweed as fertilizers in Mauritius, enhancing the capacity of small farmers, fishers, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in producing and using seaweed-based fertilizers.
Promoting the Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Techniques
The project in Seychelles will focus on promoting climate-smart agricultural methods, such as aquaponics, hydroponics, and sheltered farming, among smallholder farmers and households to boost local food production and decrease reliance on imported goods. The intervention includes evaluating the technical, economic, and financial impediments to implementing climate-smart agricultural practices in Seychelles. The project will offer training to smallholder farmers, households, and vulnerable groups to enhance their understanding of Climate Smart Agricultural principles, setting up a demonstration project for these practices.
South-South Collaboration Opportunity between Mauritius and Seychelles
The initial technical meetings for the SDG Fund’s “Strengthening Food Systems’ Resilience through Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Mauritius and Seychelles” Both countries conducted the project in August 2022. With a short implementation timeline of six months, these meetings aimed to kick-start project execution.
In Mauritius, the meeting involved key government officials from various ministries and organizations, including the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Ministry of Blue Economy, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Shipping, and others, along with representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations. In Seychelles, the gathering included officers from ministries, institutes, and the university. UNDP, UN Women, and UNFAO officials facilitated both meetings, coordinated by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, promoting collaborative efforts between the two nations in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience initiatives.
Source: https://jointsdgfund.org/article/building-resilience-food-systems-mauritius-and-seychelles-leveraging-sustainable-0
