GIS – 25 March 2025: The importance to invest in research and development to respond to farmers’ needs was highlighted, yesterday, by the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, at the seat of the Farmers in Agriculture, Livestock, Cooperative, Organic Network (FALCON) Association, in Terre Rouge.
He was speaking at the laying of the foundation stone of the Beijing Vocational Training of Agriculture (BVCA)-Mauritius FALCON Association Overseas Technical Training Centre.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mr Ashok Kumar Subron; the Vice President of the BVCA, Mr Gu Tiangang; the President of the Southern Africa Confederation of Agriculture Unions, Dr Sinare Y Sinare; the President of the FALCON Association, Mr Gunsham Seeboorun; and other personalities were also present at the event.
The Training Centre is a joint collaboration of the BVCA and the FALCON Mauritius geared towards enhancing knowledge-sharing and technical expertise among local farmers. As part of this collaboration, the BVCA has provided a series of training sessions for Mauritian farmers in 2024.
Certificates were thus remitted to women who have completed a training course in Pottery Crafts and Water Olla.
In his address Minister Boolell reiterated the need for Mauritians to eat what they produce and produce what they eat, in line to promoting food sufficiency in the country. He referred to the climatic challenges facing Mauritius as a Small Island Developing State which are impacting on the agricultural sector.
The Minister called upon the collective efforts of each and everyone to adopt a new mindset so as to increase local food production.
Dr Boolell expressed appreciation as regards the joint collaboration of the BVCA and FALCON Mauritius for the establishment of the Training Centre which will promote skills development and innovation within the agricultural community, thereby ensuring the sustainability of farming practices.
As for Minister Subron, he likewise dwelt on the need to produce healthy food and to reinvent the consumption habits among the population. The importance to address food crisis and to become more self-sufficient were highlighted by the Minister. He further commended the cooperation between China and Southern Africa in advancing sustainable agriculture for the betterment of the sector.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: https://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov