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The Small Farmers Welfare Fund honored 91 children of registered farmers for their academic achievements at a ceremony in Solferino. The awards included cash prizes and gifts for students excelling in various educational certifications. Minister Dr. Arvin Boolell emphasized the importance of education for empowerment and addressed challenges in food security and local production in Mauritius.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. Ninety-one children of registered farmers were honoured for their academic success at an award ceremony yesterday, organised by the Small Farmers Welfare Fund and the Agro-Industry and Food Security Division, at the Domaine Seetloo in Solferino.
Students of Primary School Achievement Certificate, National Certificate of Education, Cambridge School Certificate and Cambridge Higher School certificate examinations, including two laureates, were awarded one-off cash prizes, shields, and gifts, under the Educational Achiever Award Scheme.
The Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, was present on the occasion.
In his keynote address, Minister Boolell congratulated the awardees for their academic excellence, hailing education as a powerful tool for empowerment and a passport to the future. He noted that these young people will be tasked with driving Mauritius’ prosperity, particularly as the nation confronts challenges related to a declining population and lack of human resources.
Dr Arvin Boolell moreover addressed ongoing global tensions and their immediate impact on Mauritius, a net food importer. He highlighted the resulting rise in fuel prices and the expected increase in costs for agricultural commodities.
The Minister thus underpinned the necessity to strengthen food security by maximising local production through the optimum utilisation of lands. On the other hand, he exhorted the population to change their consumption habits by favouring locally available products, which he affirmed, will enable Government to reduce the subsidies being provided on imported food.
Furthermore, Minister Boolell underscored the vital contribution of farmers, whose skills and knowledge will be crucial to advancing Government’s ambitions to boost the ago sector performance and transitioning to a big ocean economy.
The Small Farmers Welfare Fund was established to support the agricultural community in Mauritius, focusing on enhancing the welfare of small farmers and their families. Education is a key component of this initiative, as it empowers the next generation to contribute to the agricultural sector and the economy. The recognition of academic excellence among farmers’ children reflects the government’s commitment to fostering education as a means of improving livelihoods and addressing challenges such as food security and resource management in the country.
