Climate Smart Agriculture - Scoping Study for Mauritius

The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius (FANRPAN Node Hosting Institution) is organizing, in collaboration with the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) a half-day validation workshop on Climate Smart Agriculture Policy Scoping Study in Mauritius on Thursday 26 June 2014 at 9.00 am at the R Burrenchobay Lecture Theatre, University of Mauritius. This workshop aims to bring stakeholders together from diverse backgrounds including Scientists, National Experts, Policy Makers, Academia, Representatives from vulnerable communities, Private Sector Representatives and NGOs to discuss options and validate a Climate Smart Agriculture Policy Scoping Study.

Contact Person

Mr Shane Hurdowar

The CSA Validation Workshop

FANRPAN has engaged the services of 16 national consultants to conduct CSA scoping studies in 16 countries. The countries are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The studies are based on the following guidelines:


Farming systems and CSA technologies and practices-


· What CSA practices and technologies have been adopted and implemented? Please make it clear when the practice is traditional and when they have been driven by policy.


· Why and how are the CSA technologies climate smart (adaptation, mitigation and national and household food security goals)?


· What are the key CSA programmes and projects that have been implemented?


· Who are the stakeholders involved in past and present CSA activities, and what were/are their roles?


· What were the drivers for their successful adoption?


· What were the constraints to their adoption? Please specify the constraints faced by the farmers and opportunities in using the various techniques that are being promoted


CSA Policy framework in the country – effectiveness and equity
What are the key policies and institutions relevant to CSA in the country? Please be specific about the instruments and incentives used by these policies, so that we can learn lessons about how exactly they work.
In your view, how effective have those activities and policies been? Why or why not?
How have CSA practices and policies impacted on gender equity and on social equity? Are there winners and losers?


The way forward
What are the key challenges to implementing CSA in this country?
What opportunities remain untapped, and why? How could they be explored?
What are the priorities for CSA implementation in the country?
What recommendations stem from this analysis? Are there particular policy recommendations?


The studies are being finalised and FANRPAN in partnership with the FAO seeks to conduct a national validation workshop to review the draft CSA scoping study report and get more inputs from other stakeholders based on the questions above. This will provide a great opportunity for the stakeholders to add value to the research process and take ownership of the research outputs.






2.1 The objectives of the Workshop


The objectives of this workshop are to:

1. Share the draft CSA scoping study report outputs with stakeholders.


2. Validate the outputs from the draft CSA scoping study report.


3. Explore more on CSA technologies used in Mauritius.


4. Identify priority CSA policies and technologies relevant for Mauritius.


2.2 Rationale of CSA Study

Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices program proposes the transformation of agricultural policies and agricultural systems to increase food productivity and enhance food security while preserving the environment and ensuring resilience to a changing climate. FANRPAN, supported by ACBF and in collaboration with FAO and local partners that include the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius seeks to rollout the CSA program in Mauritius alongside the other 16 SADC countries that it is also facilitating.


A locally based national consultant, one of the 16 in the region, was engaged to conduct baseline studies on what is on the ground in Mauritius in respect to relevant policies, the level of knowledge, practice and impact of CSA. This was meant to inform all players on what is available and thereby assist in crafting what needs to be done in-order to achieve the desired objectives as stated above.


Given your valued experiences in the agricultural/environmental development platforms it is felt that you have what it takes to contribute significantly to the shaping of the program framework that will deliver the desired outcomes. It is with this understanding that you are being invited to this half day meeting at which you would be able to express your views and propose recommendations for the way forward.


Looking forward to your presence at the workshop.

Shane Hardowar


Node Coordinator


FANRPAN (Mauritius)