Agricultural Conference: Dr. Arvin Boolell Calls for Smart Agriculture for a Resilient Mauritius

The Agricultural Conference 2026, organized by the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries, was launched on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, by Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Réduit. The conference brought together farmers, breeders, and other key stakeholders from the crop and livestock sectors.

In his opening speech, Dr. Arvin Boolell emphasized that this year's theme is "Smart Agriculture for a Resilient Mauritius," a vision he described as urgent and transformative. He reminded everyone that agriculture is a strategic pillar of sovereignty, stability, and resilience.

The minister listed numerous challenges leading to rising food prices, food insecurity, and pressures on farmers' livelihoods, highlighting Mauritius's structural vulnerability, as it only produces 25% of what its population consumes. He recalled key measures outlined in the government program to address these urgent challenges, which include modernizing agriculture, strengthening food security, empowering farmers and breeders, and protecting our natural resources.

"Our priorities also include producing what we consume and consuming what we produce, reducing our dependence on imports, and improving our productivity," he stated.

Regarding climate change challenges, Dr. Arvin Boolell emphasized the need to adopt climate-smart and regenerative practices, such as improving water use efficiency, restoring soil health, protecting biodiversity, and reducing waste through circular production models.

The Minister of Agro-Industry reaffirmed that all government efforts align with Vision 2050, which envisions resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon food systems, integrating farmers as entrepreneurs in value chains, and food security as a cornerstone of national resilience.

He further expressed confidence that all stakeholders can together build a resilient, competitive, and future-ready agricultural sector. In this regard, he emphasized the need to work in a spirit of partnership to achieve the national food security objective.

Also present on this occasion, Delegate Minister Fabrice David highlighted the government's commitment to promoting youth engagement, as well as agroecology, sustainable farming practices, and the integration of traditions, innovation, and technology to invigorate the agricultural sector.

According to him, the Agricultural Conference 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter for agriculture and food security in Mauritius. He stressed that the government has adopted a "farm to fork" approach fully compliant with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's food system concept.

Agricultural Conference 2026

The main objectives of this two-day event are as follows: to strengthen food sovereignty and the resilience of national production; to promote inclusive and competitive value chains; to foster innovation, knowledge systems, and youth engagement; to ensure sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystem health; to improve nutritional security, food security, and links to public health; and to enhance governance, coordination, and financing mechanisms.

It will also serve as a forum to stimulate a national transition towards the principle of "eating what we produce and producing what we eat." Furthermore, the Conference will highlight the need to adopt water-efficient irrigation technologies, cultivate climate-resilient food crops, deploy early warning systems for extreme weather events, modernize the agricultural sector, and use land sustainably.