Mr Kanayo Nwanze, President of IFAD
Governors of IFAD Council
Distinguished Delegates

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure and a honour for me to address the 34th Session of the Governing Council of IFAD. At the outset, I would like to thank the President Mr Kanayo Nwanze, for his invitation to participate in this session. I also commend him for the theme chosen for this year’s session, namely ‘Investing in Youth’ which is in line thereof on the interactive plenary panel discussion on ‘Feeding future generations – young rural people today, prosperous farmers tomorrow’.

This forum will indeed provide an opportunity for all of us to brainstorm on the importance of youth in development as today’s generation of young people is the largest in history. We need to recognize that young people have huge potentials for innovation and are more inclined to take risks that usually accompany new opportunities. The challenge is how best to develop their potential and to empower them.

In the wake of global food security, farmers of tomorrow should be more conversant with new technologies and have access to modern equipment and with a new mind-set, in order to be competitive. Governments will have to make substantial and sustained investments so that these farmers are able to harness their energies, ambitions, skills and talents.

Agriculture is too often seen, across the world as unattractive and unproductive sector with various risks. Young people should be convinced of agriculture’s potentials and opportunities for employment while at the same time they should be aware of their critical contribution towards feeding the world of tomorrow.

We all here appreciate the efforts and initiatives of IFAD in putting young rural women and men at the top of the development agenda. We sincerely hope that this session of IFAD Governing Council will enable us to reflect on key issues pertaining to youth and in moving their agenda forward.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to give you a brief overview of Mauritian agriculture and the youth.

The contribution of agriculture in the national economy has decreased over the years, from 23% in the late 1970’s to just 4.3% in 2008. The share of the agro-industrial employment to total employment has over the years has been decreasing, reaching 9% in 2008. Today the sector is facing various threats, from both the domestic and the external fronts, and include a decreasing and ageing labour force; rise in world energy price; rise to the price of inputs like fertiliser feed; the euro crisis that affects export earning; the food security crisis, and climate change, amongst others

Mauritius is categorised as a net food importing country, with up to 70% of its net food requirements being imported. The net food import bill stood at Rs 25 billion in 2008. Conscious of the situation, food security is high on the agenda of Government.

To increase quality food production and agricultural productivity various measures have been put in place. The Mauritian Government is committed to ‘revalorise’ agriculture, and for the first time a Food Security Fund has been set up to address the food security issue through empowerment of all stakeholders. Government is mobilising all resources, physical and human to boost up the production of foodcrops, meat, milk and fish products in a sustained manner.

Positive results have already been recorded but the agricultural players still need support, technical and other course. The success of our strategies rests in empowering our people to operate in a new environment through innovative skills and risk taking.

Government is supporting the emergence of a new class of entrepreneurs who will endeavour to propel the sector to higher levels. They are offered training through various programmes at Vocational/University levels.

In this endeavour, the young women and men are being provided with all incentives which include access to land, credit facilities, modern technologies, education, training, mentoring and work experience. They are being attracted to the agro-industrial sector with various measures, and are expected to act as role models for others to follow. This will no doubt help in sustaining the agricultural and food sectors of Mauritius and building its resilience.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The association of Mauritius with IFAD dates back since 1979. In this connexion, I must place on record the excellent collaboration which exists between Government of Mauritius and IFA.

As at date, three programmes for development of the agricultural and fisheries sector have been partly funded by IFAD. The current Marine and Agricultural Resources Support Programme is supporting the design and implementation of the pro poor reform agenda. IFAD has also responded positively to the regional food security initiative. A Regional Development Company has been set up and heavy investment is however required from private sector for the taking off of the regional initiative. Mauritius shall continue to rely on IFAD networking and its presence in the region to guide the Regional Development Company in making sound investment decisions. We hope to continue receiving the support of IFAD namely its technical expertise in the development of the agro industry sector.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With these words, I reiterate my thanks to IFAD for organising this important meeting and for giving me an opportunity to participate in the deliberation. I hope that all resolutions taken are promptly translated into concrete actions.

I thank you for your attention.

19 February 2011