Africa-Press – Mauritius. ‘In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, self-sufficiency is a must and Government is committed to encourage the local production of food crops via backyard gardening and support sustainable agricultural development through various schemes.
The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, made this statement, today, at the launch of a workshop focusing on the theme “Entreprendre pour l’auto-suffisance”, held in Baguant Hall, at the District Council of Moka.
The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, and other Ministers were also present.
The workshop is an initiative of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the National Development Unit in collaboration with the Development Bank of Mauritius Ltd, the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and the National Women’s Council.
In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth underlined that Mauritius still remains vulnerable to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, hence self-sufficiency is a necessity to generate an increase in local production. He stated that even if there is no shortage of agricultural products on the market, it is important to increase local production and consumption.
He deplored the fact that over the years, local production has been in decline, and thus, he made an appeal to the population to adopt the culture of backyard gardening which will contribute in boosting the cultivation of local food crops.
The workshop, he said, will create more awareness on the possibilities for cultivation and facilitate the access to various schemes. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to reflect on new ways to avoid dependency on the importation of goods, which he said, will lead to economic gains.
The Government, he stressed, has come up with several support schemes to encourage local production and entrepreneuriat among women and the youth. Several actions, he added, have been initiated by relevant authorities to sustain adequate food supply in the country.
He called upon the population to participate actively in the endeavour to locally grow crops. Technology, he observed, has a key role to play in the marketing of local products.
For him, aspiring women entrepreneurs should turn to methods of agricultural production with modern and intelligent techniques for a healthier nation.
Women, he said, are to adopt a healthy lifestyle and make judicious choices as regards their nutrition while adding that they play a pivotal role in their family and should therefore inculcate and promote backyard gardening to foster proper diet and balanced eating habits.
For her part, the Vice-Prime Minister spoke of the importance of educating the youth and women on the role and contribution of local food production. Government, she said, truly believes in the potentials of women in contributing in the economic growth of the country.
Women should be motivated to embrace self-empowering initiatives such as entrepreneuriat, she indicated. She pointed out that the pandemic has taught everyone a lesson to building resilience and becoming self-sufficient.
It is essential to learn not only how to produce but also how to conserve vegetables and fruits in an efficient manner for later consumption, she added.
As for Minister Sawmynaden, he highlighted that Government has put in great efforts, through various initiatives, to ensure food security at a time when Mauritius was in a lockdown situation.
He called for a shift to sustainable agricultural practices and new methods of production that are eco-friendly and more easily accessible to the population.
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