Celebrating a Legacy: Farewell to Professor Sunita Facknath of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Mauritius

Prof Facknath with Assoc Prof J. Govinden Soulange, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture 

Today, all the faculty staff gathered at the cafeteria of the University of Mauritius to honour and bid a heartfelt farewell to Professor Sunita Facknath as she embarks on her well-deserved retirement from the university. This special occasion was marked by a warm atmosphere where everyone took a moment to express their gratitude through small speeches or thank-you notes dedicated to Professor Facknath. Her quiet composure has always been an inspiring presence within the academic community, and her significant achievements in advancing agricultural production have left an indelible mark on both students and colleagues alike. Click here for her speech and email message.

Staff of the Faculty of Agriculture 

Professor Facknath versatility across various subjects is nothing short of remarkable; she has made substantial contributions in areas such as organic farming, aquaponics, sustainable agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture. Each of these fields plays a crucial role in addressing contemporary challenges related to food security and environmental sustainability. Many technicians and academics who were present during this gathering had once been students under her guidance. They eagerly shared personal anecdotes about how she supervised their projects with care, provided invaluable advice that advanced them forward in their careers, and fostered an environment where learning thrived.

The fond memories recounted by former students highlighted not only their enjoyment, but also the profound impact of her classes on genetics and zoology—subjects that are essential for understanding biological systems within agriculture. It became abundantly clear that there was a unanimous sentiment among all attendees: Professor Facknath has shaped their professional journeys through her dedication to teaching and mentorship. 

As they expressed their heartfelt wishes for her future endeavours, it was evident that everyone hopes for nothing but success as she steps into this new chapter of life filled with relaxation, exploration, and personal fulfilment. 

 

A summary of the main wishes expressed in the messages on her retirement card.

 Key Messages:

1. Congratulations and Well-Wishes for Retirement:

   • Many messages express congratulations on her retirement.
   • "Happy Retirement," "Wishing you a happy retirement," and "Congratulation" are repeated throughout.

2. Appreciation for Contributions:

   • Several messages highlight the recipient's impact and contributions over the years.
   • Terms such as "mentor," "friend," "colleague," and "teacher" are used to describe the relationship with her.
   • Expressions of gratitude for guidance, support, and wisdom are common.

3. Reminiscing About Memories:

   • Some messages recall specific memories or experiences shared with her.
   • References to past interactions, lectures, or personal encounters are mentioned.

4. Wishes for Future Happiness:

   • Many messages wish the recipient good health, happiness, and fulfilment in their retirement.
   • Encouragement to enjoy life, relax, and pursue hobbies or interests is a recurring theme.
   • Phrases like "Take time to do the many things you've always wanted to" and "Enjoy the moment" are included.

5. Acknowledgment of Hard Work:

   • Several messages recognize her hard work and dedication over her career.
   • Words like "well-deserved," "hard-working," and "dedication" are used to emphasize this.

6. Expressions of Missing the Recipient:

   • Some messages express that she will be missed.
   • Phrases like "You will be dearly missed" and "We will miss you" convey a sense of loss and appreciation for the person's presence.

7. Encouragement to Start a New Chapter:

   • There are wishes for her to embrace a new phase of life.
   • Phrases like "May your retirement be the start of a whole new life for you" and "Enjoy the next chapter" are written.

 The card conveys a heartfelt message of gratitude, appreciation, and well-wishes for her retirement. It reflects the positive impact she has had on others and expresses hope for a fulfilling and joyful retirement.

 

Happy Retirement Professor Sunita Facknath

A Journey of 38 Years: Reflecting on a Fulfilling Academic Career

Celebrating 25 years of collaboration: Prof. S. Facknath with her invaluable technician, Ms Fadeela Jaumdally

On the eve of her retirement Professor Sunita Facknath sent an email to all university staff to bid farewell and, at the same time, give a glimpse of 38 years she spent at the University of Mauritius.Here below you will find her email that was addressed to all the staff of the university.

Dear all,

I have reached a milestone in my life, and will be retiring from the University as from the 21st May 2025.

  
It has been a long and enriching journey spanning over 38 years, first as a part-time lecturer and then as a full–time academic. 

Joining as a young and naïve Assistant Lecturer/Lecturer (as it was called then) with a Masters degree, and slowly climbing up the academic ranks to full Professorship with two PhDs, has been a road with lots of ups and downs, sweet and not-so-sweet memories, and challenges and accomplishments. Every experience has added to my personal growth and development, and forged me into the person I am today. It has been a wonderful journey, and I am truly grateful to one and all - Senior Management, fellow academics, technical, administrative, and support staff. 

My special thanks to the technical, administrative and support staff who work hard and quietly in the background, and help create the enabling environment that assists us academics to shine and succeed in our professional goals.

  
I have particularly enjoyed the amazing interactions I have had with our students, and find it very heartwarming and satisfying when I see or hear of them in top key positions in the public and private sectors today. I feel truly blessed when former students, some going back to even 30 years or more, greet me with pleasure and appreciation whenever and wherever they see me, even now! 

The morning of 21st May will start a new chapter in my life, and, as has always been my philosophy, I am looking forward to embracing it wholeheartedly and enthusiastically. 

I wish all of you, and our University, continued success and growth, and will follow your progress fondly and affectionately.

Professor Sunita Facknath Retirement Speech - Reflecting on a Journey: Gratitude and Growth at the University

At today's gathering for Professor Facknath’s retirement, there was a get-together where all the staff of the Faculty of Agriculture joined her for a special lunch at the cafeteria of the University of Mauritius. 

On that special day, she gave a brief speech to express gratitude to all the people present and how this has shaped her career. She was quite emotional when giving that speech, and that is understandable Here below you will find a summary of her speech. 

.As I take a moment to look back, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for the incredible journey I've had at the university. It was a place where I encountered so many wonderful people, and truly, everyone has contributed in some way to the path I've walked. I want to express my sincere thanks to all my colleagues, the dedicated technicians, and the management – each one of you played a part.

When I first joined, I felt like I was "just the Indian wife of a Mauritian citizen". But the university, and all the people within it, offered an environment that fostered a profound transformation. It was here that I evolved, first becoming Mrs. Facknath, a lecturer. This environment allowed me to develop my personality and my own identity. The journey continued, and I was given the opportunity to pursue and earn my PhD. Later, I had the immense privilege of becoming a professor.

Through this process, I developed my own identity. As many of you have said, when people encountered me, they began to say things like, "Okay, Dr. Facknath," and associate me with my research topics, like climate change and insects. This university experience is where I had developed my own personality and identity. The university gave me that; all of you gave me that. Many individuals offered invaluable support along the way. I feel deeply grateful to each and every one of you.

Looking ahead, the future is still unfolding. For the moment, my plan is to relax for a few months. I genuinely don't know what the future will bring. However, one thing is certain: my commitment to this community remains. As was mentioned, I want you to know that I will always be available to help, whether it's a small matter or a large one. I've shared my new email address, so please feel free to contact me anytime.

Ultimately, as many good things have been said about me, I know that all the good things you are saying about me are all due to you. Your contributions have shaped who I am today. Thank you, always, for everything.

Transformation of Belle Mare into a Climate-Smart Agriculture village for climate resilience, food security, and poverty alleviation of its farmers”

Climate Change is a global challenge, but its impact are affecting developing countries the most. Smallholder agricultural and food producers are being particularly affected, directly as well as indirectly. It is therefore essential to increase their resilience, and ability to adapt, to the changing climate.

The overall aim of this farmer-participative project, funded by the Eurpoean Union under its GCCA+ Flagship Initiative "Supporting CSA for smallholders in the Republic of Mauritius, is to provide support to smallholders in the region of Belle Mare in order to help them transform their present dya conventional agriculture into CSA, namely one that provides them with a sustainable livelihood, contributes to national food security, is productive and climate resilient, while being environment-friendly, and producing lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

At the ceremony, field equipment and vehicle will be handed over to planters of the Belle Mare region.

Staff Exchange Programme with the University of Osijek, Croatia

A Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius delegation visited the Faculty of Agro-Biotechnical Sciences Osijek from 17 to 24 May 2019. The team was composed of Prof. dr. sc. Sunita Facknath, dr. sc. Shane Hardowar, dr. sc. Swaleha Bibi Hudaa Neetoo, dr. sc. Vishwakalyan Bhoyroo and Nadeem Nazurally. They had the opportunity to get acquainted with the activity and scientific research potential of the Faculty and the Faculty experiments. There were many common themes - from climate change and the impact on agriculture to the cultivation of different cultures and possible professional and scientific cooperation. Cooperation with The Faculty of Agriculture began at the end of 2015, and after several years of communication and cooperation planning, a mobility project was approved through the Erasmus + program, and a two-fold visit was finally realized this year as the FAZOS delegation visited Mauritius in February. In addition to the official part of the visit, guests had the opportunity to participate in the pre-activity of the European Night of Researchers at the Mandićevac faculty trial, visiedt Vukovar and Vinkovci, and enjoy the culinary delights and natural beauties of Osijek, as well as other parts of Slavonia and Baranja.

Written by Vlatka ROZMAN, Daniel HAMAN

Climate Smart Agriculture - Mauritius

Increasing the resilience of small farmers to the effects of climate change- Grant to Faculty of Agriculture

Prof Sunita Facknath ( on the Right), from the Faculty of Agriculture, recipient of one of the grant awards for the project

The Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security and the Delegation of the European Union have awarded three new grants to the University of Mauritius, the Irrigation Authority and the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture for the implementation of climate adaptation actions. Projects aim at promoting climate smart agriculture initiatives among smallholders in Mauritius and Rodrigues. They will be implemented over 3 years.

The Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius, Marjaana Sall said:

- "The European Union is committed in making the Paris Agreement work and in supporting our partners in implementing it. Today's grants to increasing resilience of small farmers to the effects of climate change bear testimony of EU's strong partnership with Mauritius to fight climate change."

The Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun said:

- “As an island state, Mauritius is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  This has a direct impact on the agricultural sector because our farming activities are directly exposed to climatic conditions. We urgently need to adopt climate smart agricultural practices to increase resilience of our small planters to the effects of climate change to ensure food security”

During the ceremony, three grants for a total amount of more than 50 million Rupees were awarded to the University of Mauritius, the Irrigation Authority and the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture for the implementation of their projects, namely: i) Transformation of Belle Mare into a Climate-Smart Agriculture village for climate resilience, food security, and poverty alleviation of its farmers; ii) Improving Resilience of Small Holders to the effect of climate change; and iii) Smart Agriculture: Transition towards agro ecological climate-resilient food cropping systems in Mauritius.

Aquaponics : an alternative and sustainable technology for farming

In the Budget 2018-19, the Minister of Finance Pravind Jugnauth announced that the government will provide funds for the sensitisation and training of households in aquaponics for the production of water adaptive vegetables in freshwater ponds and basins and that the Albion Fisheries Research Centre will provide fish fingerlings freely for the aquaponics projects. Aquaponics is considered as an alternative and sustainable technology for the Mauritian farming industry and an economic alternative for the importation of food crops. Stakeholders share with News on Sunday their views on the feasibility of the measure announced and how to promote Aquaponics in Mauritius.

Sunita Facknath, Professor in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Mauritius: “The measure must be accompanied by local research to determine the right type of aquaponics”

What are your views about the measure announced in the Budget?
It will help in increasing the share of animal protein in people’s diet, and fish is a good and healthy source of protein and good cholesterol. People will also have fresh and healthy vegetables grown in the aquaponics system.It is also an environmentally friendly way to increase food production while making optimum use of available water, of available space, growing vegetables with little or no fertilisers added, and avoiding the pollution caused by dumping effluent water from aquaculture into the environment.
Do you believe that this measure is sufficient enough to promote aquaponics?
The training and awareness-raising is a start. For it to bear the envisaged fruits, it must be accompanied by local research to determine the right type of aquaponics. There are several ways in which aquaponics can be set up. We need to determine which set-up and type is most suitable for different purposes in the Mauritian context. We need to determine the appropriate conditions, in terms of the water quality, the species and type of vegetables and fish which can be grown in such systems, the number of fish that can be placed in a given size of tank, the safety aspects of the vegetables and fish in the aquaponics system, among others.
What additional measures do you believe should be introduced and why?
In the near future, other measures will have to be considered - establishment of standards and norms for the quality of vegetables and fish emanating from aquaponics, registration of aquaponic businesses for traceability purposes, subsidies on the inputs required, fiscal incentives to those practicing aquaponics as a business, training of extension staff so they can provide right advice and guidance to those practicing aquaponics, and so on.
The Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Mauritius is currently working on a research project on aquaponics, to determine the optimum water quality, species of vegetables and fish to grow together in the aquaponics system, the appropriate density of the fish, the right filter quality, and other similar parameters. This project will provide the necessary data to help us establish a bigger, field level aquaponics unit, and we will be looking for partners in the public and private sectors to partner with us on this bigger project. Source; News On Sunday 23 June 2018

Prof Sunita Facknath, new Dean of Faculty of Agriculture

Prof Yasmina Jaufeerally Fakim (on the right) term as Dean of the Faculty, ended on 12 June 2015. At a meeting with all academic staff  on 15 June 2015, she thanked them all for  their efforts and cooperation for the smooth running of the Faculty during the past 3 years. She also wished Prof Sunita Facknath a fruitful Deanship. The new Dean thanked the achievements (e.g celebrations of the 100 years of the faculty, development of the Faculty mission and objectives, development of new courses, participation in regional and continental projects, promoting a research culture at the Faculty, among others) we have made during her tenure. She wish to have all staff continued support to face the new challenges ahead of us and move the Faculty to a new front.

The staff were then invited for a mini lunch buffet. Bon appetit!!!!

Congratulations to the new Dean!!!!  (On the left)

Transforming Research into Policy - DRUSSA INITIATIVES

Transforming Research into Policy

Research Uptake intitiatives in Rodrigues

Research Uptake (RU) does not refer simply to the one-way process of communicating research findings to potential end-users. •It involves effective communication much further upstream – right from understanding end-user needs in the initial stages of project design, and in some cases even involving them in the research design, project implementation and adoption of research results. It describes the entire process of doing research that has outcomes that have impact on the lives of people.

An Example of a Relevant Initiative - Development Research Uptake in SubSaharan African Universities (DRUSSA).

DRUSSA Project is based on 3 premises :

•Skills needed to implement research findings are different to the skills required to do the research, so the researcher may not be the best person for this task. It is better addressed institutionally, through the development of a Research Uptake Management scheme in the institution.
•Research uptake can take a lot of time and money, hence often is not part of the research project itself, and should be tackled at institutional level through a separate office/unit with its own staff and budget.
•Researchers need to be incentivised to continue with the uptake process after the research part is completed.


Click for the presentation here.

Water Resources Management in Mauritius

Challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that  constrain their quest to adopt an
ecosystem approach to water resource management. The path taken by Mauritius to face
these challenges and adopt at least a partial ecosystem approach is discussed in this presentation made by Prof S Facknath of the Faculty of Agriculture.

Climate-Smart Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa - Case of Mauritius

 

Climate change is already a reality. The latest assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that global climate change is already damaging crops and undermining food production capacity in much of the world, particularly in poor countries. Negative impacts on crop yields have been more prevalent than positive ones. Even worse, that is often the case for staple foods such as wheat and maize, which feed much of the global population.

Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The region is marked by strong dependence on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources, high levels of poverty, and limited infrastructure in rural areas. This region is projected to suffer further water stress, more frequent droughts, floods, and other alteration in rainfall patterns, leading to lower agriculture yields unless adaptation measures are taken. Furthermore, climate change is likely to reduce the land suitable for agriculture, potentially leading to increases in clearing of native forest and pasture lands for crop cultivation, with a consequent significant increase in carbon release. The effects of climate change on African agriculture thus are severe and a major challenge.

In this context, the barriers and opportunities for promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in sub-Saharan Africa have been document by various consultants in the following countries. This means agriculture that: (i) increases productivity and income, (ii) adapts and builds resilience to climate change, and (iii) reduces greenhouse gas emissions where needed.

Scoping studies through the work of national consultants and assessed practices and policies in 15 Eastern and Southern African countries (Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). Each of those consultants conducted literature reviews, policy reviews, and key-informant interviews with multiple stakeholders in their countries. The report for Mauritius is available at the FANRPAN  website.

Results

Our findings reveal that the onset impacts of climate change (particularly droughts, floods, and other alterations in rain patterns, with their associated impacts on crop yields and livestock) are already being perceived both by formal experts and by rural populations across Eastern and Southern Africa. Yet, the promotion and uptake of CSA practices remain limited. All countries have examples of both traditional and research-based agricultural practices that can be deemed climate-smart, but they are not mainstreamed and still receive limited support. Such practices include both agroecological techniques (e.g. mulching, intercropping, agroforestry, mixed farming) and agricultural biotechnology, such as high-yield and/or drought-tolerant crop varieties and livestock breeds.

Similarly, Eastern and Southern African countries generally have policies on agriculture and climate change – and do recognize the impacts of the latter on the former. Some countries have developed National Climate Change Policies (e.g. Madagascar, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia), while others countries have National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA) in place (e.g. DRC, Tanzania, Uganda); and/or National Climate Change Response Strategies (Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe).
However, those policies often lack instruments to achieve the goals they set. Furthermore, they are not sufficiently connected across sectors. There is a clear need for greater policy coherence to avoid conflicts and create synergies. Finally, perverse incentives that hinder CSA implementation (i.e. larger subsidies or other policy incentives for practices that are not CSA) sometimes remain in place and need revision.

Other challenges include limited material (including human resource) capacity, insufficient smallholder participation in governance, and persistent gender discrimination. There are not only financial constraints but also limited access to technology for scaling up CSA practices. Many CSA practices – notably those based on biotechnology, but also suitable machinery for conservation agriculture or small-scale farming – remain expensive and dependent on foreign actors. This reveals an urgent need for South-South and North-South cooperation that promotes the endogenous technological development of Africa.

For greater CSA uptake, it is also fundamental that smallholder, particularly women, have greater participation in policy- and decision-making. Currently, most agricultural and climate policies have been top-down and carried out through “one-way” extension services that tell farmers what to do but hardly listens to them. As a result, not only there is a governance participation deficit, but also difficult implementation. It is essential that institutions be revised to eliminate discrimination against women (e.g. limiting their participation in decision-making or their rights over land) and incorporate the views, needs, interests and concerns of the smallholders who make up the majority of farmers in Africa.
All in all, Eastern and Southern Africa hold great potential for CSA, but this potential needs to be further explored. The region has a large number of traditional agricultural practices as well as research-based programmes and techniques that have CSA qualities. CSA promotion requires concerted action from multiple actors, perhaps most notably from governments themselves, as from non-state actors who can work as CSA advocates. To the same extent that climate change poses an enormous challenge to African agriculture, it may bring about an opportunity to transform it. Not simply an opportunity to change its material basis, but one to shift its policies, institutions, and development strategies in the direction of sustainability and of a food-secure future free from poverty.