World Water Day 2012

Courtesy: FlickR Photo Album

Every year the World Water Day is held on 22 March and the theme of the forthcoming WWD is “Water and Food Security”. This World Water Day in 2012 is intended to draw the international attention on the relationships between water & food securityDuring this event, the international water community across the globe will focus major attention on the crucial link between water and agriculture. Read more.
This year the UN has published a brochure to sensitise the world on the importance and burning issues surrounding WATER.

Given the global importance of this event, the CWA seizes this opportunity to draw the urgent attention of the public on vital water issues. In fact, the CWA and its Parent Ministry (Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities) are planning a series of activities to mark the World Water Day in Mauritius. To mark the World Water Day 2010 a series of activities will be undertaken and these include:

• Organisation of a workshop and an exhibition at Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, B. Village on 20, 21 and 22 March 2012
• Conducting of guided visits at CWA water treatment plants (La Marie etc) 
• Two competitions targeted to upper primary and secondary student. 

In this context, the Faculty of Agriculture participated in this important event by displaying the following exhibts which have been prepared by the BSc( Hons) Agric with spp Aquaculture and the BSc ( Hons) Crop Tech with spp LandScape Management of year 2 under the supervision of MS Shalini Oogathoo, Lecturer in Agric Engineering. The following exhibits were displayed:

• Capture of Water by rain
• Judicious use of water in agriculture through the use of hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics
• Water for aquaculture production
• Monitoring water losses in agriculture for optimum soil water management
• Treating waste water with phytoremediated plants.

The Ministers were very curious about exhibits and the students and Ms Oogathoo did their very level best to explain their various exhibits. Well Done guys, See Pics below

Do you know how much id needed to produce your breakfast, kunch and dinner.
Check out this site to know more on water use to produce foo. Bon Appetit!!!!!!!!!

Courtesy FlickR photos

YoBLoCo Awarded to a Mauritian- Ms Nawsheen Hosenally, an Alumni of the Faculty

This is to inform you that Nawsheen Hosenally (a former student at the Faculty; BSc (Hons) Agric - spp Agricultural Extension) has won the first prize for the YoBloCo blog competition organised by CTA. More info at the YoBLoCo website

Ms Nawsheen Hosenally is engaged in many activities related to agricultural development, namely Agricultural Rural Development and Youth in the Information Society (ARDYIS) and the Mauritius Agricultural Information Specialist Network (MAISNET).

Nashween (23 years) blog "Nawsheen World", addresses the main issues and key information about agriculture in Mauritius and in other developing countries. She also writes about the activities in which she is engaged. Her blog can be accessed here.

Warm congratulations to Nawsheen! for raising the flag of both Mauritius and her Alma Mater, The Faculty of Agriculture.

Keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDES Workshop on Food Regulatory Framework for export to EU

A report of EDES of ACP-EU was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to review the regulatory framework for exporting poultry and honey to the EU market. At the 2 day workshop the report was discuused and gaps in the regulatory framework were identified and discussed with the major stakeholders. The main features of the report is given below. 

Courtesy Le Mauricien of 29 FEB 2012

  In a few years of possible exports to countries of the region and to Europe could amount to 5,000 tons annually, generating gross revenues of approximately EUR 10 million per year. This is what emerges from the findings of a consultancy mission report of the Programme EDES ACP-EU and submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Dr. Gary Francis, and Dr. Mathilde Saulnier, were in Mauritius in October last year at the request of the Mauritian authorities for economic evaluation of the poultry and honey sector, its export potential to the EU and the possibilities to increase the level if necessary for easy access.

The private sector side, it appears that poultry production in Mauritius has almost doubled in ten years, from 25,600 tonnes in 2000 to 46,000 tons in 2010, an increase of 20,400 tons. The prospects for growth are the most optimistic as an output of 60,000 tons in 2015 and 80,000 tons by 2020 are envisaged.

Regarding the outlook for exports, the Economic Partnership Agreement signed with the EU in 2009 could be an opening of markets on the block and de facto international recognition in terms of safety standards. The consultants believe that Mayotte and Reunion represent potential markets advantageous because of their proximity compared to France. For example, they cite the virtual dependency of Mayotte Import (99%) for its chicken needs table, or 7000 tons.
 

Requirements
The report estimates that if their recommendations are implemented our exports of chicken and processed products to countries in the region and to Europe could be around 5000 tons annually, generating gross revenues of approximately EUR 10 million per year in a few years time

According to the report, large producing companies will have to invest between 2.5 and 3 million euros in the coming years to be able to export to the EU. The two main poultry companies mentioned are already preparing in case of an eventual agreement, and aware of the necessity to adapt to European market requirements, have already begun to make the investment. However, their entry into this segment after such an agreement with the EU would have significant impacts on the local poultry industry. Their biggest customers (hotels, supermarket chains and restore international brands) will prefer to buy from companies with guaranteed quality standards.  

This could, they argue, affect how poultry producers. Also, it is recommended the government to support medium-sized slaughterhouses and their independent suppliers by offering them the opportunity to modernize their equipment and to rise to European standards. Similarly, in order to protect consumer interests, the consultants believe it would be good to have healthy competition in this sector, with three or four major poultry companies private to avoid an increase in chicken prices and derivatives. In addition, the report highlights the high price of chicken in Mauritius, between 2 and 2.5 euros per kilo compared to 1.75 euro in Europe, 1 euro and Brazil. This is mainly attributed to the high cost of chicken feed. In this regard, the authors focus on building for the export of products with high added value or targeting niche markets.

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Food Act: "Outdated"
Directed to government authorities, the report recommends several urgent decisions. Particular, the revision of the regulatory framework: Food Act, Meat Act and Animal Health Act, which require a complete revision. The Food Act is described as "outdated", essentially the producer responsibility for food safety, HACCP principles is ignored; guidelines of the Ministry of Health incomplete and inadequate, the law does not allow identify health risks for the country. In short, "this legislation is dangerous and Unable to Ensure a minimum food safety, event in the context of Mauritius," write Dr. Gary and Saulnier. Similarly Mauritius has not an institutional framework consistent with international standards for control of the sector. There are too many ministries and departments responsible for quality control; ditto for veterinary control. However, there is a lack of coordination and information sharing to a risk assessment sector. The same goes for the many more laboratories as they are not networked. The report recommends the creation of a single "Competent Authority in the EU's meaning." 

Adapted from  Le Mauricien 

Open Education Week 5-10 March 2012

Open Education Week is a global event that seeks to raise awareness about the benefits of free and open sharing in education, especially Open Educational Resources (OER). In its simplest form, the concept of Open Educational Resources (OER) describes any educational resources that are openly available for use by educators and students, without an accompanying need to pay royalties or licence fees. Open Education Week is being coordinated by the OpenCourseWare Consortium. The event will take place online and in different locations around the world, with opportunities to participate in webinars, discussions and live events. Projects and events will be featured from institutions and organizations from around the world. Visit www.openeducationweek.org for more information.

“The vision of the open education movement is to create a world in which the desire to learn is fully met by the opportunity to do so, where everyone, everywhere, is able to access affordable, educationally and culturally appropriate opportunities to gain whatever knowledge or training they desire. “The movement encompasses producing, sharing, using and modifying content, as well as innovative models of educational delivery,” said Anka Mulder, President of the OpenCourseWare Consortium. “Open Education Week will showcase projects, resources, people and ideas so that people around the world can see the breadth of what has been accomplished already, and participate in discussions about the future of the movement.”

At the University of Mauritius, the VCILT will be joining individuals and organisations from around the world in helping to raise awareness of the open education movement and open educational resources (OER).  One of the highlights of the local events will be an open conversation on OER in agriculture and allied subjects. Mr K. Boodhoo of the Faculty of Agriculture has kindly agreed to facilitate the discussion.