The transformative power of food production in Mauritius: United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Blog

Lisa Singh, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, spoke before United Nations Food System Summit +2 taking place in Italy from July 24 to 26.

“This is a particularly exciting time to be a Resident Coordinator for a small island country like Mauritius. Since I arrived here in 2022, I have experienced examples of extreme weather conditions such as floods and tornadoes and water shortages on the other.

This visible impact of climate change combined with geographical remoteness, small economies and high import costs has had serious consequences for our island’s food security. It has gained greater momentum since COVID-19 pandemic and war-related commodity and supply shocks in Ukraine, raising strong concerns about food security as a key to sustainable economic transition.

Lisa Singh, Resident Coordinator in Mauritius and Seychelles, meets with a group of young people.

Food systems have emerged not only as a challenge in agriculture but also as a game changer to catalyze outcomes across multiple SDGs. The upcoming event in Italy provides an opportunity for the two countries to focus on the way forward to accelerate the transformative power of the food system.

Food production must be considered across sectors and not in isolation. Water and energy are direct inputs at all stages of the food value chain, while natural resources, ecosystems and their services are fundamental to the security of these inputs. Agriculture accounts for 30% of water use in Mauritius alone. Globally, one-third of the world’s available energy is consumed by the food production value chain.

The livelihoods of artisanal fishermen like Nazma have been significantly affected by climate change.

Comprehensive approach

Addressing water scarcity and investing in renewable energy is critical to food security. Mauritius imports three-quarters of its energy from renewables, accounting for 24% of its current total. It imports more than 77% of its food needs with households struggling as food prices for staples such as bread, black lentils, powdered milk and cooking oil continue to rise. Our reliance on imports such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, technology and equipment leaves us vulnerable to supply and commodity disruptions around the world.

Food system transformation can play an important role in countries’ climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. For example, in line with nationally identified contributions, Mauritius has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. Vietnam has also identified agriculture as a priority sector to adapt to climate change, focusing heavily on efficient irrigation techniques and climate-smart agriculture.

It is clear to the UN team that it is important to support a holistic systems approach to address the links between food, climate, water, energy and gender.

The power of partnership

We are taking a dual focus. Institutional involvement to inform the strategies, policies and budgets needed to transform food systems and influence budget allocations.

We also aim to strengthen community resilience, leveraging the power of partnerships, digital platforms, public-private approaches and data, centered on women and youth.

For countries like Mauritius, where tourism is a significant source of GDP income, the impacts of climate change pose sustainability risks due to its rare but fragile natural ecosystems.

The lives and livelihoods of communities, especially in coastal areas, are directly affected. Bleached coral and anthropogenic pollution are putting pressure on the lagoon ecosystem, affecting craft fishers like Nazma and her family.

She has been a craft fisherman for over 30 years with her husband and several children. This is a sustainable way of fishing, as using only fishing line is not the same as commercial fishing. Furthermore, most of the fish they catch is for consumption in Mauritius and not for export.

Nazma says she loves everything about fishing. It was a passion that became her job. However, she emphasizes that life is expensive, fuel is expensive and there are fewer fish in the lagoon.

The United Nations, working with the European Union through the Ecofish project, is using innovations in technology to empower artisanal fishers to leave overfished lagoons.

Nurturing “smart” agriculture

By improving the economic resilience of these traditional fishing communities, food security will be enhanced through better managed marine resources.

In Rodrigues, part of the Mauritius Islands, we are working with eight women who have formed the Rodrigues Turmeric Producers Association to grow and process turmeric into powder for sale.

Addressing the issue of energy inputs in agriculture, Marie-Anne, one of the association members, says that with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program (SGP) supported by the United Nations, she and her colleagues were able to purchase a solar dryer to replace an electric machine that consumes a lot of energy and costs a lot of money.

UNDP Mauritius/Stéphane Bellero

Coastal communities in Mauritius such as Port Sud-Est are facing the adverse effects of climate change.

Her colleague and friend, Perrine, explains how the business allows women to liberate themselves. It will also facilitate their descendants to continue this work because turmeric will always be there.

There are other innovative sustainable food system solutions being piloted by United Nations agencies in Mauritius. United Nations Development Program (UNDP), together with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) And UN women Under SDG . General Fundis promoting a low-cost biofertilizer that is locally produced from seaweed.

Smart farming initiatives are being supported by FAO, UNDPUnited Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Only seven years left to complete Agenda 2030 ours UN Country Team in Mauritius will continue to work to support economic diversification, strengthen the circular economy, and invest in human capital to combat supply shocks.

Working together to drive further climate action and advance resilience pathways is key to securing Mauritius’ future for our people, planet, prosperity and peace.”