Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) organised, today, at Hennessy Park Hotel in Ebène, an Inception Workshop on Support Towards the Development of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Harmonised Fertiliser Regulatory Framework. The Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, and other personalities were present at the opening of the workshop.
The objective of the Harmonised Fertiliser Regulatory Framework project is to establish a harmonised framework, with a view to improving regulation of fertilisers across Southern Africa, through quality control standards and enforcement mechanisms, at the regional level, with input from all the 16 SADC countries. The initiative aims also at enhancing integration and improving access to regional fertiliser markets.
The goals of the Inception Workshop were three-fold: create awareness and understanding of the project and its objectives among stakeholders; gather input and critical reviews of the project’s planned activities and expected outputs; and prepare a road map for the project activities with timelines and milestones that are understood by parties involved in the implementation of the project.
In his address, Minister Gobin stated that fertilisers go in line with food security, namely for the quality of production, and are essential for tropical island nations like Mauritius. He mentioned the project by the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) regarding nanofertilisers, for which, he said, the findings were eagerly awaited.
According to him, a harmonised system of regulation will, ultimately, help in trade facilitation among SADC Member States. However, he stressed, in establishing a harmonised framework, it is important for Mauritius to pinpoint its specificities, namely as a tropical island, which differs from continental Africa. He also highlighted the necessity for a sector-wise focus, citing as example the use of fertilisers in the sugar cane sector which is not the same as for crop production.
Furthermore, Mr Gobin assured participants of the political support of Government, not only in the process of technical consultations, but also in the implementation of the framework and the relevant legislative works.
