Integrated land management project promotes sustainable agriculture and livestock production

Efforts to strengthen sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices in Mauritius and Rodrigues were highlighted, today, during a field day on “Demonstrating Integrated Practices for Sustainable Fodder and Livestock Production” held at the Curepipe Livestock Research Station and organised by the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI). A booklet titled “Sustainable Land Management Practices for Fodder Production” was also launched on the occasion.

The event forms part of the Republic of Mauritius/Global Environment Facility/United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project titled “Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management and Biodiversity Conservation in the Republic of Mauritius”, which seeks to promote sustainable land management in production landscapes through a comprehensive inter-sector approach.

Under the project, pilot initiatives on conservation agriculture and improved livestock technologies have been implemented at several FAREI sites, namely the Curepipe Livestock Research Station, the Petit Merlo agro-ecological silvo-pastoral site and the Mapou Model Farm. These demonstration sites showcase practical and locally adapted farming techniques aimed at enhancing sustainability and resilience in the agricultural sector.

The Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell; the UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Alka Bhatia; the Chief Executive Officer of FAREI, Dr Madhvee Madhou, and other personalities attended the event.

In his address, Minister Boolell highlighted that the integrated practices for sustainable fodder and livestock production implemented at the FAREI demonstration sites have to be replicated by farmers so as to yield the expected positive results. He remarked that organisations such as the UNDP is always ready to provide the implementation framework and support to local stakeholders and urged those present to avail of the facilities made available.

The Minister moreover emphasised the need to ensure that subsidies in the agricultural sector are used judiciously, and for farmers to take advantage of accompanying measures extended to them.

According to Mrs Bhatia, the event demonstrates how innovation, partnership and science can converge to transform agricultural systems in a way that protects both livelihoods and the environment. She added that the project is a strategic national effort to address land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change impacts through integrated landscape-based approaches.

For her part, Dr Madhou underlined that sustainable development, which is directly linked to food security, environmental protection and social stability, is today a necessity for national resilience. She also pointed out that this project translates sustainability into concrete field activities, including the upgrading of composting facilities, the rehabilitation of fodder plantations, and the installation of rainwater harvesting models.

21 May 2026

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Topics: Agriculture