Advanced Food Processing for Community Empowerment _ Award Ceremony at the University of Mauritius

The Farmers in Agriculture, Livestock, Cooperative, Organic,Network (FALCON) Association, in collaboration with the University of Mauritius Faculty of Agriculture, organised an award ceremony on 23rd July 2025 at the Academic Complex, University of Mauritius, to recognise participants who successfully completed a 30-hour "Advanced Food Processing" course. The training program equipped the 35 participants with essential skills in diverse aspects of food processing and production, food hygiene, safe food production, food waste valorisation, processing techniques and product development. 

The event featured distinguished speakers including Associate Professor Dayawatee Goburdhun, the Master of Ceremony for this event, Mr. Gunsham Seeborun (President of FALCON Association), Associate Professor Dr. Joyce Govinden (Dean of Faculty of Agriculture), Professor Sanjeev Sobhee (Vice Chancellor), Dr. The Hon. Arvin Boolell (Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries), and His Excellency Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool (President of the Republic of Mauritius). 

The "Advanced Food Processing" course, conducted in April 2025, was designed for vulnerable family members and women-led food enterprises to enhance their food processing practices and standards for both local and export markets. The training was delivered by resource persons Dr. D. Ramful Baboolall, Associate Professor D. Goburdhun, and Associate Professor S.J. Santchurn, and was funded by the National Social Inclusion Foundation under NSIF project 2024. The initiative received support from key organisations including the National Empowerment Foundation, National Women Entrepreneur Council, National Women's Council, and Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund.

FALCON Association, located at Community Lane, Bois Pignolet, Terre Rouge, can be contacted at 5789 2282 or 249 1560, with additional information available through their email maansaam@yahoo.com and Facebook page. 

Associate Professor D. Goburdhun, Master of Ceremony.

In her speeches, the Master of Ceremony reflected on the proceedings, by saying that the messages shared today paint a vivid picture of a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem dedicated to advancing our agricultural sector. Our university's commitment to inclusivity in higher education, the Minister of Agro Industry's passionate vision, and the tireless efforts of organizations like the Falcon Association, all working in concert, are truly inspiring. She also extended her appreciation to the Dean, Vice Chancellor, participants, press members, Faculty Members, and the Pro VC (Planning and Resources) underscoring the support essential for these vital initiatives to flourish. She thank all for being a part of today event. She concluded by saying that the future of our food security looks brighter when we work together!

Click the link below for the key messages delivered by the various speakers. 

In his opening speech, the President of the Falcon Association delivered several key messages emphasizing the urgent need for a transformed Mauritian Agroindustry.

In her remarks the Dean of the Faculty highlighted the Faculty of Agriculture as a dynamic, historically rich institution that goes beyond teaching. We're actively tackling global challenges like food security through inclusive training and strong partnerships. We're excited to contribute to a sustainable, prosperous future for Mauritius.

In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of the University laid out key plans for Mauritius's growth, such as how education, innovation, and unity are shaping our country's path forward.

The Hon Minister A. Boolell shared his vision for Mauritius. He talked a big change, building our future on our people, new ideas, and working together, calling on every Mauritian to help create a better nation for everyone.

Have you ever stopped to think about where our food truly comes from, and why it matters so much to our nation's future? In his speech, the President of the Republic of Mauritius shared some insights on just that – reminding us that food security isn't just a buzzword, it's the bedrock of a healthy, thriving Mauritius.

A Resilient Voice for Farmers Since 2004 - Key Messages from Falcon President🧑‍🌾

Mr. Gunsham Seeborun, President of FALCON Association

The President of the Falcon Association delivered several key messages emphasizing the urgent need for a transformed Mauritian agro-industry:

A Resilient Voice for Farmers Since 2004 🧑‍🌾

The core message is that Falcon is a long-standing advocate for Mauritian farmers, specifically those in the fruit and vegetable sector. Established in 2004, the association is not just a local entity; it's globally connected, affiliated with the World Farmers Organization (WFO) and various regional bodies. This international presence allows Falcon to actively send young Mauritians to "participate in international conferences to represent the voice of the planters of Mauritius," building their capacity and ensuring the island's agricultural perspective is heard worldwide. Falcon also registered a cooperative to directly benefit its members.

The Critical Processing Gap: From Farm to Waste 📉

A central and urgent message is that Mauritius has a significant gap in its food processing capabilities. The President highlighted that despite local agricultural production, "we import a lot of processed foods, almost 70%." This imbalance leads to a paradoxical situation: much of what's produced is either wasted or sent abroad for processing only to be re-imported as finished goods. This is not only economically inefficient but also impacts food security. 

Food Processing: The Triple Solution for Food Security, Waste, and Economy 💰

Developing a robust food processing industry is presented as the essential triple solution for several national challenges. It's key to:

• Enhancing food security by transforming perishable raw produce into shelf-stable, accessible products.

• Significantly reducing post-harvest waste, turning what would be discarded into valuable goods.

• Creating new economic opportunities and industrializing the agricultural sector beyond just cultivation. He observed that many women already do processing at a domestic level, and the goal is to "industrialize" these effort.

Strategic Partnerships Driving Capacity Building (University & China) 🤝

Strategic collaboration is crucial, especially with the University of Mauritius (UoM). Falcon is actively partnering with the Faculty of Agriculture, to provide advanced "food processing" training. This intensive course, which saw 80 applicants narrowed down to 35 selected participants, aims to equip individuals, particularly vulnerable family members and women-led food enterprises, with the skills needed to "enter the industry that does transformation."

Furthermore, Falcon places strong emphasis on technology and has a significant collaboration with China. This partnership is vital for accessing "machinery that can develop" local processing capabilities, providing access to advanced equipment and technical expertise.

Vision for a National Food Processing Zone: A 10-Year Plan 🏗️

A top priority and long-term vision articulated by Falcon is the establishment of a dedicated "food processing zone" in Mauritius. The President directly appealed to the Minister, contrasting Mauritius's situation with Europe's, where raw materials are transformed before re-importation. Falcon has a clear "10-year plan to develop this processing zone." 

Success Requires Investment, Policy, and Youth Engagement 🌱

The ambitious vision for a fully industrialized food processing sector hinges on several critical requirements: significant funding, supportive government policies, and crucially, human capacity, especially attracting and training "new youth who enter there" to ensure the sector's sustainability and growth beyond just cultivation.

Concluding Remarks