The Mauritius Strategic Plan for Food Crop and Livestock sectors 2024-2030, setting out the goals and objectives to be attained over the next five years to improve food security and promote a more sustainable agriculture in the country, was launched, yesterday, by the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, at the City Council of Port Louis.
The Food Crop and Livestock Sectors Strategic Plan for the period 2024-2030 had been developed following ‘Les Assises de l’Agriculture’, which was organised jointly by the Ministry and the Economic Development Board in March 2023. Stakeholders of the public and private sector, experts, academia and researchers of the agricultural sector engaged in interdisciplinary discussions during that Forum.
The key strategic orientation of the Strategic Plan for Food Crop and Livestock sectors 2024-2030 focuses on, namely: boosting production for resilient food security; promoting sustainable and resilient production; encouraging entrepreneurship and
agro-processing; and legislative, institutional and policy reforms.
In his address, the Minister highlighted that the Strategic Plan would better position Mauritius to transform its agricultural landscape. He was of the view that the Plan was a declaration of the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to the principles of sustainability, equity, community and resilience in its journey towards securing a healthier tomorrow for all the citizens. “It is crafted to empower the backbone of our agricultural sector, the smallholders, women, and youth and ensuring their active participation in a technologically advanced, environmentally sustainable, and socially equitable agro-industry,’’ he said.
According to the Minister, as successor to the Strategic Plan 2016-2020, the new Strategic Plan would build on the achievements and lessons learnt over the last five years, while addressing and mitigating the identified shortcomings. He mentioned that the country’s food industry was facing profound challenges such as climate ch
ange; the unpredictability of global markets; and the widespread socio-economic disparities.
The Minister accentuated the fundamentals of a proper framework to guiding the identification of sector investments that would increase production and productivity while building resilience of the sector. “The implementation of the Plan,” he emphasised, “will also improve the institutional and policy environment for overall guidance of the agricultural sector in line with national and relevant regional and international laws, policies, protocols and standards.” He underlined that the Plan also depicted a collaborative vision, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
The Minister invited all stakeholders of the Mauritian agri-food value chain to join hands in a concerted effort to transform the country’s food systems. ’’Together, we will pave the pathways to a sustainable food system for a healthi
er tomorrow, while ensuring a legacy of well-being and prosperity for Mauritius,’’ stated the Agro-Industry Minister.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: https://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov
Source: Government of Mauritius