Africa-Press – Mauritius. The two-day Assises de l’Agriculture 2026 organised by the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, was launched by the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, this morning at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Réduit. The Assises brought together farmers, breeders and other key stakeholders of the Crop and Livestock sectors.
In his keynote address, Minister Arvin Boolell underlined that the theme of this year’s event is ‘SMART Agriculture for a Resilient Mauritius’, a vision which he termed as both an urgent and transformative one. He recalled that agriculture represents a strategic pillar of sovereignty, stability, and resilience.
The Minister listed out on the numerous challenges that result in higher food prices, supply insecurity, and pressure on farmers’ livelihoods, pointing to Mauritius’ structural vulnerability as a producer of only 25% of what the population consumes. He recalled some key measures outlined in the Government Programme to counter these pressing challenges relate to the modernisation of agriculture, strengthening food security, empowering farmers and breeders, and safeguarding our natural resources.
“Our priorities are also to produce what we eat and eat what we produce, reduce our dependence on imports and improve productivity”, said Dr Boolell.
As regards climate-change related challenges, he underscored the need to embrace climate-smart and regenerative practices, such as improving water-use efficiency, restoring soil health, protecting biodiversity, and reducing waste through circular production models.
The Minister reassured that all Government’s efforts align with Vision 2050 where food systems are resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon; where farmers as entrepreneurs are integrated into value chains; and where food security is a cornerstone of national resilience.
He moreover expressed conviction that all stakeholders together can build a resilient, competitive, and future-ready agricultural sector. On that score, he underlined the need to work in a spirit of partnership towards the national mission of food security.
Also present on the occasion Junior Minister, Mr Gilles Fabrice David, underpinned Government’s vision to promote youth engagement, along with agroecology, sustainable farming practices, and a combination of traditions, innovation and technology, with the aim of boosting the agricultural sector.
According to him, Les Assises de l’Agriculture 2026 represents the opening of a new chapter for agriculture and food security in Mauritius. He emphasised that the Government has adopted a farm-to-fork approach fully aligned with the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s concept of agrifood system.
Assises de l’Agriculture 2026
The main objectives of the two-day event are namely to: strengthen food sovereignty and resilient domestic production; promote inclusive and competitive value chains; foster innovation, knowledge systems and youth engagement; ensure sustainable natural resource management and eco-system health; enhance nutritional security, food safety and public health linkages; and strengthen governance, coordination and financing mechanisms.
It will also serve as a forum to stimulate a national shift towards the principle of “Eat what we produce and produce what we eat”. Moreover, the Assises will highlight the necessity to adopt water-efficient irrigation technologies, the cultivation of climate-resilient food crops, the deployment of early warning systems for extreme weather events, the modernisation of the agricultural sector and the sustainable use of land.
