Agriculture gets US $432,000 boost from FAO
21-October-2015
A sum of US $432,000 is being spent by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on two technical cooperation projects in Seychelles aimed at boosting agricultural development and increase productions and yields.
Documents relating to the two projects which are already underway were signed yesterday afternoon by the Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture Wallace Cosgrow and the FAO country representative Dr Patrice Talla Takoukam.
The signing took place at the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in the presence of the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Didier Dogley as well as key official from both ministries.
Expressing Seychelles’ gratitude to the FAO for its continued support Minister Cosgrow said after the signing that the national agricultural sector needs all the help and support it can get.
“Enhancing the level of investment in the national agricultural sector will be another important area of focus over the next five years as the sector has been showing clear signs of renewed vitality and re-growth after a protracted challenged period,” Minister Cosgrow added.
He noted that the Seychelles National Agricultural Investment Plan (SNAIP) will be subjected to external review of the NEPAD and the African Union this week and pointed out that this US $105 million plan comprising five programmes of investment interventions in the agricultural sector will be subjected to a round table meeting of potential donors and investors in December.
He has invited the FAO to continue to be a party to this national endeavour.
Coming back to the two projects at hand Minister Cosgrow pointed out that capacity building in soil and water management which is receiving US $328,000 will help mitigate the impacts of extreme weather.
“Better soil nutrients and physical management of limited agricultural soils along with flood control on the cultivated coastal plateau and its erosive action on upland soils are crucial to the agricultural sector revival efforts.” Minister Cosgrow noted.
He added that an effective control programme of the invasive euproctis (hairy) caterpillar species which is receiving US $104,000 support, will appease the public health outcries of its ill effects as well as manage, if not, eliminate yet another newly introduced agricultural pest.
“We are determined to raise the contribution of the national agricultural sector to GDP through a combination of well defined approaches and the two FAO projects will impart knowledge, enhance personal skills, incite institutional development and consequently further build local capacity to deal with varied impacts on the natural environment,” he stressed.
Mr Talla Takoukam remarked that the soil and water management project is expected to provide an initial solution to agricultural soils and storm water management problems here.
“We hope that partners will follow this first initiative with a greater common effort in order to establish an efficient system against rain storms and the effects of climate change with a view to building resilience of farmers,” Dr Talla Takoukam pointed out.
With regard to the hairy caterpillar invasion he said Seychelles is currently facing a national crisis as a result.
“Based on available data, a cost benefit analysis indicates that the extent of the infestation and potential economic impact are alarming and require an urgent financial and technical support,” he said.
He pointed out that if no such urgent action is taken to control the rapid increase in the species population, there could be severe consequences on the general population, on tourists as well as on the country’s ability to safeguard and ensure food and nutrition security.
Dr Talla Takoukam reaffirmed the FAO’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with its partners and to continue supporting its member states including Seychelles.
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