The changing power of food production in Mauritius: A UN President’s blog

Lisa Singh, who is the UN Ambassador in Mauritius and Seychelles, is speaking ahead of the UN Food Programs Conference +2 which is being held in Italy from 24 to 26 July.

“This is a particularly compelling time to be the President of a small island nation like Mauritius. Since I arrived here in 2022, I have experienced examples of extreme weather conditions such as floods and typhoons on the one hand and water scarcity on the other.

The visible impact of climate change combined with our geographical remoteness, the small scale of economies, and high import costs have dire consequences for our island’s food security. It has had the highest impact since the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine’s war-related supply and terror phenomena, promoting strong precautions with food security as the key to a sustainable economic transformation agenda..

Lisa Singh, Resident Director in Mauritius and Seychelles, met a group of young people.

Food systems have emerged not only as an agricultural challenge but as a game changer to deliver results across multiple SDGs. The upcoming event in Italy provides an opportunity for Mauritius to focus on the way forward to accelerate the changing power of food systems.

Food production must be viewed across sectors and not in isolation. Water and energy are direct inputs at all levels of the food value chain, while natural resources, ecosystems, and their services support the security of these inputs. Agriculture accounts for 30 percent of water use in Mauritius alone. Globally, a third of the world’s energy is consumed by the food production value chain.

The livelihood of artisanal fishers like Nazma has been significantly affected by climate change.

Taking the perfect approach

Addressing water scarcity and investing in renewable energy is critical to food security. Mauritius imports three-quarters of its energy including renewable energy, accounting for 24 per cent of its current total energy. It imports over 77 percent of its food requirements with households under pressure as food prices on key products such as bread, black lentils, powdered milk, and cooking oil continue to rise. Our reliance on foreign imports such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, technology, and equipment makes us vulnerable to global market and supply disruptions.

Changing food systems can play an important role in countries’ climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. For example, in line with national resolutions, Mauritius has reaffirmed its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. The country has also identified agriculture as a key sector for climate change adaptation with much focus on efficient irrigation techniques and climate-smart agriculture.

Clearly for the UN team, supporting a holistic systems approach to addressing the interactions between food, climate, water, energy, and gender is essential.

The power of partnerships

We are taking a dual focus. Institutional engagement exists to inform strategies, policies, and budgets necessary to transform food systems and influence budget allocations.

We also aim at strengthening local resilience, leveraging partnerships, digital platforms, private-public systems, and data, with the inclusion of women and youth at the center.

For countries like Mauritius, where tourism is a major source of GDP earnings, the impact of climate change is a constant threat given the rare yet fragile ecosystems.

The lives and livelihoods of communities, especially in coastal areas, are directly affected. Coral bleaching and human pollution are putting pressure on the lake’s ecosystem affecting artisanal fishermen like Nazma and her family.

She has been an artisan fisherman for over 30 years with her husband and several children. This is a sustainable fishing method, as only lines are used unlike commercial fishing. Also, most of the fish they bring in for consumption in Mauritius as opposed to being exported.

Nazma says she loves everything about fishing. It is a love that has become his job. But, he insists that life is expensive, oil is expensive, and there are few fish in the lake.

The UN, in collaboration with the European Union through the Ecofish project, uses innovations in technology to empower artisanal fishers to leave over-exploited lakes.

Maintaining ‘smart’ agriculture

By improving the economic viability of these traditional fishing areas, food security will be strengthened through well-managed water resources.

In Rodrigues, which is part of the archipelago of Mauritius, we work with eight women who have formed the Rodrigues Turmeric Producers Association to grow and process turmeric into powder for sale.

Speaking about energy subsidies in agriculture, one of the team members, Marie-Anne, said that with the financial support from the Small Grants Program (SGP) supported by the UN Global Environment Facility (GEF), she and her colleagues were able to buy a solar dryer to replace electricity which is very powerful and very expensive.

UNDP Mauritius / Stéphane Bellero

Coastal areas in Mauritius such as Port Sud-Est are exposed to the adverse effects of climate change.

Her colleague and friend, Perrine, explains how business allows women to free themselves. It will also allow their grandchildren to continue this work because turmeric will always be available.

There are other innovative sustainable food systems being piloted by UN agencies in Mauritius. The UN Development Program (UNDP), together with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Women under the SDG Fund Partnership, is promoting small scale biofertilizers produced locally from seaweed.

Initiatives to develop smart agriculture are supported by FAO, UNDP, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

With only seven years left to deliver on the 2030 Agenda our UN Country Team in Mauritius will continue its efforts to support economic diversification, strengthen the shared economy, and invest in human capital to address supply shocks.

Working in partnership to advance climate action and develop resilient pathways is key to safeguarding the future of Mauritius for our people, life, prosperity, and peace. “