World Food Day: Human Potential is the Primary Wealth of Agriculture, says Dr. Arvin Boolell

"We must prepare ourselves, reinvent ourselves, and invest in research and development, which are the main drivers of transformation in the agricultural sector, while adding value to our products," stated Dr. Arvin Boolell, the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries.

He spoke on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during the launch of the World Food Day 2025 exhibition, which will run until October 18 at the Agricultural Services in Réduit under the theme "Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Brighter Future."

The Deputy Minister for Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries, Fabrice David, along with other dignitaries, also attended the event.

As part of the event, a campaign was launched to raise awareness about the proper management of empty pesticide containers in farmers' fields. Additionally, beekeepers received cash grants to support fencing around designated bee areas.

In his speech, Dr. Arvin Boolell emphasized the importance of this year's theme, which calls for global collaboration to build a peaceful, sustainable, and food-secure world. He stressed the need for collective action across sectors and borders to achieve this goal.

The Minister reiterated the government's commitment to boosting productivity and meeting consumer needs. While acknowledging that climate change continues to impact all nations, he called for the establishment of adaptive policies to address the ever-evolving challenges.

He also highlighted that human resources are among the most valuable assets in the agricultural sector, stressing the importance of empowering individuals to fully realize their potential.

Calling for a fundamental shift in mindset towards valuing food, Dr. Boolell reaffirmed that the government will provide robust support measures for this purpose. The 2025-2026 budget allocated Rs 2 billion to the agricultural sector to ensure a smooth transition to smart agriculture.

For his part, Deputy Minister Fabrice David discussed the country's food journey, urging civil society, the private sector, and farmers to work together to strengthen food sovereignty. He expressed gratitude towards farmers, planters, breeders, and fishers for their essential role in ensuring food access for all Mauritians.

Fabrice David also expressed concerns about the country's increasing reliance on food imports, which have doubled in recent years, with Mauritius currently producing only 25% of what it consumes. He presented several initiatives aimed at supporting the transformation of the agrifood sector through technology, emphasizing that all efforts must converge towards a common goal: better food and a brighter future for all.