Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a framework of cooperation and sustainable system for the production of propagating materials of fruit plants at the Prison Service was signed, today, between the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security and the Mauritius Prisons Service (MPS).
Signatories were the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Medha Gunputh, and the Ag Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Jaganaden Rungadoo. The Director, Agricultural Services, Mr B. Sungkur Lutchmeea, and other personalities were present.
In his address, Mr Gunputh said that the principal aim of the MoU is to build capacity of the Prison Service in the domain of plant propagation as well as enable the MPS engage in large scale production of propagating materials of fruit crops.
The Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security will provide a training course on the different techniques for the propagation of fruit crops to the Prison Officers who shall subsequently be involved in the training of prisoners, he indicated.
The MPS, he underlined is equipped with resources in terms of manpower and land. Moreover, he encouraged the department to launch in fruit production in order to ensure business continuity.
He pointed out that the prices of fruits are increasing significantly due to the appreciation of foreign currencies, hence the need to produce fruits locally. This initiative will open up new business opportunities from the production to the conservation of fruits, he added.
Mr Gunputh also said that the provision of training to prisoners in agricultural activities will enable them to become independent and self-sufficient after the completion of their sentence.
Mr Rungadoo, for his part, highlighted that the MoU will promote a culture of plant propagation, support agricultural activities and enable the Mauritius Prisons Service to become self-sufficient in food production.
The initiative, he said, is in line with the strategic plan of the department to cater for the rehabilitation of detainees. He pointed out that the MPS produces around 30% of its agricultural products for food consumption and that in the long run it is aiming to become fully self-sufficient.
The MPS is currently growing around 75 jackfruit, 150 bread fruit, and banana trees so as to expand its agricultural activities as well as to include these staples in the diet of prisoners, he added.
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