In the context of the FoodSec-Semence/SANOI regional project, the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute organised a one-day validation workshop on “Seed Potato Value Chain in Mauritius” on 27 April 2023 at Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene.
The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of The Senior Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Mohinee Nathoo of the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security (MAIFS) and the Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Mrs M. Seenevassen Pillay of the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI).
In her address Mrs M. Seenevassen Pillay stressed on the importance of increasing production of potato ware as well as potato seed to reduce reliance on import in view of enhancing food security.
Mrs M. Nathoo highlighted the various incentives and schemes available to boost seed and potato ware production. She indicated that in year 2012, Mauritius was was able to produce a record production of 21,000 tonnes and the FoodSec-Semence/SANOI regional project will certainly help in achieving our targets.
Address by Mrs. Nathoo
The FoodSec-Semence/SANOI regional project is coordinated by the CIRAD and funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund for the period 2021- 2025 and the main partners in this project include Madagascar, Comoros island, Seychelles and Mauritius. The project aims to relaunch a regional sector of certified seeds of elite plant varieties comprised essentially of leguminous, solanaceous and cereal crops in the context of food and nutrition security and climate change adaptation.
In the local context, the general aim is to strengthen the potato and bean seed sectors by providing access to growers to certified and disease- free planting materials.
The analysis of potato seed value-chain in Mauritius, which started in 2020, has been completed and thereby the aim of this workshop is to present and discuss the findings of the potato seed value chain and to come up with recommendations on ways to improve the contribution of the seed potato sector towards food and nutrition security. The workshop activities were followed on-line by our counterparts in Reunion and Madagascar.
The different stakeholders comprising of representatives from FAREI, MAIFS, CIRAD, AMB, producers of potato from corporate sector and small/medium planters including dealers took part in the workshop. A brainstorming session was held with an objective to come up with an action plan in order to improve the contribution of the seed potato sub-sector in the potato value chain.
