Agro Industry

Mauritius is heavily reliant on food imports and is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which can negatively affect crop yields. To mitigate these risks and decrease our dependency on imports, the adoption of modern farming techniques is essential. Controlled environment agriculture methods, such as greenhouses, container farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming, offer promising solutions to enhance food production and resilience in the face of these challenges.

The rising concerns of consumers on the negative impact of agrochemicals has led to an increase in demand for safe fruits and vegetables. In line with the Government’s policy for bio-food production, farmers are encouraged to eliminate the use of synthetic agrochemicals and shift to environmentally friendly productions.

To promote the growth of the nutraceutical sector, the Mauritian Government has launched a framework to encourage the private sector’s involvement in large-scale production of nutraceuticals and functional foods. To assist both existing and aspiring operators in this field, the EDB has created a user-friendly database containing comprehensive information on over a hundred plants with nutraceutical potential. This database can be accessed at: http://app-edb-nutra.azurewebsites.net/. Additionally, the government has introduced various incentives to attract investment in the nutraceutical sector and establish a supportive ecosystem for transforming crops with high nutraceutical potential into value-added products.

Food processing presents opportunities to minimise post-harvest losses; increase shelf life of farm produce; and reduce imports. Numerous investment opportunities exist for the transformation of agricultural products and livestock into products for intermediate or final consumption.

The field of green biotechnology is rapidly advancing globally, driven by the urgent need to address environmental degradation resulting from climate change. These conditions create a strong impetus for applying biotechnology to food and crop production in the future. Agricultural biotechnology has demonstrated significant positive impacts in many countries. In Mauritius, this area particularly in the non-sugar is young and growing. The research arm of the sugar industry, namely the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute is involved since many years in continuous and extensive development of new cane varieties that adapt positively to local conditions and climate change. For the non-sugar sector, research institutions like Food & Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and Mauritius Research and Innovation Council are supporting research initiatives aimed at enhancing the crop sector and food security. The prospects for green biotechnology in Mauritius are immense, offering the potential to enhance sustainability and food security.

Mauritius offers promising opportunities for apiculture, particularly due to its reliance on imported honey products. The country’s diverse flora and favourable climate create ideal conditions for beekeeping, allowing for local honey production and the development of products like propolis. Investing in this sector can reduce import dependency, promote sustainable practices, and enhance biodiversity through pollination.