The Participation of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency in the Tourism Expo 2010

To celebrate the world tourism day, the Seychelles Tourism Board organized a Tourism Expo 2010. The Expo 2010 was held from Monday 27^th to Wednesday 29^th September at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles under the theme Tourism and Biodiversity. The president, Mr. James Michel was the special invited guest and the exposition was officially launched by the CEO of STB Mr. Alain St.Ange.

The Seychelles Agricultural Agency participated in the Tourism Expo 2010 with the aims of promoting  traditional local crops and to showcase the diversity of local crops that were used by our grand- parents and that the youth of today does not know (eg pigeon pea).  In adhering to the theme of tourism and biodiversity, the focus was on SAA’s fruit tree nursery  from which some tourism establishments such as Ephelia Resort and Eden Island bought fruit trees to beautify and create an edible landscape. On display there were also a diversity of fruit and vegetable trees, spices and herbs, root crops, vegetables and fruits commonly used by the general public as well as by the tourism industry. Agricultural Research and Development, Agricultural Extension Services and the National Plant Protection Organisation exhibited posters showing the work done by the mentioned sections. Research and Development Section exhibited photos of screened varieties namely tomatoes, sweet peppers, lettuces etc. The Agricultural Extension Services displayed information relevant to the campaign of Every home a garden through posters and a live exhibition.The National Plant Protection Organisation  had posters of the steps to be taken to obtain import certificates and had information on some invasive species such as whiteflies and fruit flies.

 The Agricultural Development Strategy2007-2011 provided the justification for SAA’s participation in the Tourism Expo 2010 as it states: The government through the ministry with portfolio responsibility for agriculture in collaboration with bilateral and multilateral partners would endeavour to promote improved crop varieties/ genetic resources through the use of land resources, local and introduced crop biodiversity/ genetic resources. It would further promote and support sound and environmental friendly cultural practices for edible landscaping.  the Tourism Expo 2010 was a good opportunity for SAA to raise its profile vis-a-vis biodiversity and tourism in the eyes of the public.

Contributed  by 

Yuna Madeleine

Seychelles Food Security Symposium to Mark the World Food Day 2010

The Food Security Symposium was held on the 15^th of October 2010 at the CARE HOUSE, Victoria, Mahe. The symposium was part of the activities organized for the World Food Day under the theme –United Against Hunger. The main objectives of the symposium were to assess the current situation of agricultural development in Seychelles, to evaluate the outcomes, output and the challenges of the Food Security Strategy 2008-2011 and to identify new approaches for improvement and development for the development and implementation of a new strategy. Present at the symposium were different actors from the Government of Seychelles, the Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA), International organizations, School of Horticulture and Farmers Training Centre (SHFTC) and representatives from the farming community.

The Minister with portfolio responsible for agriculture made the opening remarks urging all stakeholders to work together for the benefit of agricultural development in Seychelles in the face of economic crisis and climate change challenge. The special adviser to the Minister gave an overview of agricultural development in the past, the current situation and what we want to achieve.  Project officer from UNDP-GEF gave a presentation on Biosecurity project relating to management of invasive species in the Seychelles. Project officer from IAEA gave a presentation on soil fertility and water management, and management of melon fruit fly using nuclear techniques in the Seychelles.   

Representatives from the SAA and SHFTC gave presentations on the five pillars of the Food Security Strategy 2008-2011. The five pillars include Agricultural Land, Agricultural Inputs and Supply, Policy and Institutional Support, Agricultural Infrastructure and Capacity Building and Training.  The presentation focuses on the strategy, action plan, stakeholders, outcomes/output and progress/remarks. In the afternoon session the participants worked in groups discussing on issues relating to the five pillars and the main findings were then presented in a plenary session. The Chief Executive Officer of the SAA gave a summary of the proceedings stressing on the main cross cutting issues and the best way forward for the development of the new Food Security Strategy.  The Principle Secretary from the Department of Natural Resources closed the symposium encouraging all the stakeholders to work in close collaboration for greater achievement in agricultural development in Seychelles.

Contributed by,

Monette Nourice

Research Officer

Research & Development 

Seychelles Agricultural Agency

                         

       

 

     

The Minister’s working visit on Praslin

 The new minister with the portfolio for Industries, Natural Resources and Investment, Minister Peter Sinon effected a working visit on the Praslin, the second largest island of the Seychelles. The  Minister was accompanied by top officials from the Departments of Natural Resources, Industries, and the Seychelles Agricultural Agency. Also present were the two District Administrators for Praslin and the representative from the Seychelles Farmers’ Association.

The two day visit was carried out as from 06^th to 07^th August 2010 with the aim of assessing the needs of the farmers and understanding their general problems. The visit was initiated in the District of Baie St. Anne and ended in the District of Grand Anse  and overall a total of 18 farmers were visited.

Contributed by:

Mr. Keven Nancy
Principal Officer 
Research & Development
Seychelles Agricultural Agency
 

CLEAN UP THE WORLD CAMPAIGNE 2010

THEME FOR THE YEAR: COMMUNITY CARING FOR NATURE

NATION THEME: TOGETHER READY FOR THE FUTURE

To commemorate the CLEAN –UP THE WORLD CAMPAIGN for the 2010 which was held  from the 13^th to 19^th of September 2010,the Research and Development Section of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA) actively participated in the event as a member of the national organizing committee. SAA donated fruits trees, manure and coordinated the tree planting activities at various schools and old peoples’ homes namely at La Rosiere school, at Mont Fleuri school, at La Misere school,  at the old peoples’ home at North East Point, the old peoples’ home at Point Larue and at the psychiatric hospital.  There was  media coverage of the event on the national television, the newspaper and the radio.

Staff members of the  Anse Boileau Research Station were mobilized in the general cleaning of the station.Once again it was a mission well accomplished and staff members  look forward  to the next year’s event.

Contributed by

Mr. Marcel Mirabeau.