Today the 16th October, 2024, the World commemorates the World Food day. Theme chosen by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to mark this occasion is “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”.
This theme underlines the importance for everyone to have regular access to divers, nutritious, safe and affordable food. Emphasis is placed on sustainable food production, which reduces negative impact on the environment, health of the producers and consumers. in the process
The world is a global village where food products are easily accessible, across different market. At the same time, it poses a risk to food security, taking into account, of so many uncertainties in the World today.
Conflicts in the world, have a direct impact on the ability of small islands states like Seychelles, to ensure uninterrupted access to food.
For instance, rice the staple food of the majority of the Seychelles population, and other commodities such as milk, oil, sugar, are not produced in the Seychelles, and in event of conflicts, states will ensure they keep their food reserve for their own consumption and ensure their own food security. Seychelles will require to source new suppliers, which may be more expensive.
Change in shipping routes, due to economic challenges and/ or conflicts, result in delay in the procurement of essential inputs, such as animal feeds, fertilizer, pesticides amongst others, thus affecting line of production and ability of the farmer, to ensure continuous production.
Biosecurity is an equally important aspect in ensuring there is no introduction of new pest and diseases in the country which may hinder the county’s ability to produce and increase cost of production with use of pest control measures. Outbreak in livestock diseases in another country, affect availability of day old chick, thus meat and egg production.
Climate change is yet another challenge which have a significant impact on Agricultural Sector. Unpredictable changes in weather condition, have direct adverse effect on agricultural production. Taking a recent example, from August 2023 to February 2024, farmers have continuously make loss of crop due to flooding. While dry spells result in challenges to access water for irrigation, increases pest and diseases intensity, thus increasing cost of production.
Eating habit of the population is not necessarily healthy, thus there is an increase in obesity and chronic disease related to an unbalance un nutritional diet.
To overcome these challenges there is an urgent need for collaboration with different stake holders and at different levels. Collaboration include partnership with academia on climate smart agriculture, which will ensure continuous production despite change in climate.
Work with the Ministries of Health and Education, in valorizing traditional vegetables, which are healthier and require less chemical to grow as they are adapted to the local conditions and not highly affected by pest and diseases. And to educate the younger generation to eat healthy, while improving taste of the dishes made from the same, without affecting its nutritional value.
Follow up on initiatives between the Agriculture Department and other stakeholders through projects, to educate farmers on sustainable farming, to ensure health and environment protection, to ensure the future generation can produce their own food to meet their demand.
Investment in new breeds of livestock to increase production, and investment in abattoir are projects on the way which will ensure meat production are at a standard as required by the hospitality sector, thus increasing access to market.
In all the development, there is a need to decrease wastage of the farm product. This is where a project has started on Praslin, to evaluate the feasibility of renewable energy to power a cold storage system. A cold storage system, increase shelf life of farm produce and ensure continuous supply.
Use of renewable energy in all aspect of agriculture, will in the long term reduce cost of production and ensure there is a decrease in the carbon footprint of the sector.
Increase production requires increased access to market. The construction of markets in different area on Mahe, will provide additional marketing area for farm produce, resulting in more access to local produce by the local population. This will ensure the theme for this year in leaving no one behind is met.
On behalf of my Ministry I would like to thank all farmers and all actors contributing in the farming sector for their dedication, despite all the challenges. Your perseverance, ensure that everyone may have access to food daily. You are thus guaranteeing food security and food sovereignty.
Happy World Food day!