1. Mauritius Case Study
Nawsheen Hosenally
National Agricultural Youth Policy Dialogue
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius
Reduit
12th
April 2013

2. Rationale of Study
• In Africa – 44% population under 15 years
• Youth constitutes 65% of total employment
(primarily Agriculture)
• Farming is perceived as old fashioned and
low income generating sector
• There are opportunities in Agriculture, but
not translated in formal policies
• Youths are critical Agricultural players that
can help solve many world issues
• Youths should be part of decisions and
policy processes in Agriculture

3. Country Background
 2045 km2
 Population: 1,3
million
 Economy based
on different
sectors
Agriculture
Textile
Financial
Tourism
ICTs

4. Youth Demographics
• “Youth” is defined as a person between
14 and 29 years of age
• Youth population between 15-29 years
old was estimated to be 306,532 (CSO,
2010)
• 23.9% of total population
• 154,863 (12.1%) males and 151,669
(11.8%) females

5. Youth Demographics
• Youth and Education
• Literacy rate is 88%
• Primary & secondary education free
• Youth and Employment
• Minimum legal working age is 16 years old
• Unemployment rate is 7.9%
• 38% below 25 years of age
• Urban and Rural youth
• Difference not very clear-cut
• Pockets of poverty in north and eastern coast

6. Youth Demographics
• Youth in Agriculture

7. Youth and Agriculture - Mauritius
• Decline in Agriculture contribution to country’s GDP
• Agriculture in Mauritius facing challenges:
• Climate change
• High cost of production
• Lack of labour
• Ageing farming population
• Lack of youth interest in agriculture
• Food insecurity
• Government pro-active and developed policies and
strategic plan
• However, less consideration given to inclusion of
youths in agriculture
• Youths have the potential to contribute to the
sector, but vulnerable and need support

8. Expected Outputs
• Perception of youth on changing realities of
agriculture
• Youth and agriculture under current National and
other policies and initiatives assessed
• Key institutions, mechanisms and tools for the
engagement of youth in policy processes
• Opportunities for streamlining youth and agriculture
into current and emerging youth policies and
agricultural policies and initiatives identified

9. Methodology
1. Literature Review
2. Surveys – key
informants, youth in
Agriculture, youth NGOs
3. Data Analysis and
writing up of Report
4. Presentation of case
study findings

10. Youth Perceptions
• Generally perceived negatively by
youths
• Different categories of youths
interviewed
• Youth of different field of studies from
University of Mauritius
• Youth engaged in Agriculture (producers and
entrepreneurs)
• Each category has its own
perception

11. • “Agriculture can help solve world issues like
poverty and food security”
• “No opinion. It’s just not meant for me”
• “I am studying engineering and intend to get a
job in the same field, but I see Agriculture as a
good business opportunity, and it will be my
part-time activity.”
• “I have been in Agriculture for years and
despite all challenges, this is where I belong”
• “There are not enough support and incentives
given to youth in agriculture”
• “After graduation I did not find a job in the
agriculture sector and had to work in another
sector”
Youth Perceptions

12. • Policy documents analysed:
• National Youth Policy 2010-2014
• Non-Sugar Sector Strategic plan 2003-2007
• Strategic Options – Crop & Livestock 2007-2015
• Blueprint for a sustainable Diversified Agri-food
Strategy for Mauritius 2008-2015
• Food Security Fund Committee Strategic Plan 2008-
2011
• Multi-Annual Adaptation Strategy 2006-2015
Agriculture and youth Policies

13. • 1 policy on youth and agriculture
• Objectives of policy:
To recognize the potential for enterprise in
agriculture compared to traditional activities
To promote a culture of entrepreneurship among
youth
 To provide facilities for access to agricultural
lands for cultivation and farming
To consider tax exemption on agricultural tools
and machinery
To create facilities for marketing and export of
agricultural products
Agriculture and youth Policies

14. • Objectives of policy (Contd’):
• To help raise the status of young people involved in the
agricultural sector
• To promote success stories and create role models in
agricultural enterprise
• To disseminate correct information and provide advanced
training for increased production in agriculture
• To initiate and motivate young people in extra-curricular
agricultural activities right from primary school level
• To motivate and provide training incentives to young people
in the field of agriculture, fisheries and entrepreneurial skills
• To promote agricultural youth clubs with the support of
stakeholders
Agriculture and youth Policies

15. Institutions, mechanisms & tools for engagement of
youth in agriculture
• When developing a “Youth and Agriculture”
policy, together with the Ministry of Agro-
Industry and Food Security, other Ministries
and stakeholders concerned with youth and
agriculture issues, should be consulted and
involved in the policy planning, design,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

16. Institutions, mechanisms & tools for engagement of
youth in agriculture
• International institutions (FAO, CTA, IFAD, ILO etc)
• Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security
• Ministry of Youth and Sports
• Ministry of Education and Human Resources
• Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives
• Agricultural Research and Extension Unit
• Faculty of Agriculture – University of Mauritius
• NGOs, Youth Organizations in Agriculture
• Farmer Organization
• Private Sector?

17. Opportunities in agriculture
 Opportunities across the value chain
• Input suppliers (agro-chemicals, planting materials etc.),
• Farm managers/producers/Entrepreneurs
• Processors (value-addition/processing of products),
• Support institutions (banks, research, extension, competent
authorities etc.),
• Agricultural consultants (communication, extension, social
media specialist etc.),
• Trainers (university and other training institutions),
• Researchers (research institutions – public and private
sector),
• Wholesalers/Retailers/Exporters
• Service providers (Agricultural tools/machinery, GIS, GPS,
transport, packaging, distribution)
• NGOs and youth organizations

18. Opportunities in agriculture
• Entrepreneurship
• Hydroponics
• Agro-Processing and value-addition
• Export
• Cross-Border initiatives
• Exploit novel crops/products
• Application of ICTs in agriculture (Use of
GPS, GIS, mechanization, Marketing
Information System, Crop and livestock
models, hydroponic systems, mobile
applications, e-marketing, social media)

19. Conclusions
• Mauritian youths have a negative
perception on Agriculture
• Youths involved in Agriculture face several
challenges and need to be supported
• To ensure food security and sustainability,
their contribution is crucial
• “Youth and Agriculture” policy can be
developed and implemented

20. Recommendations
• Implement existing agricultural policies and more
coordination among institutions
• Introduce agriculture in education system since
primary level and adapt curricula for tertiary
education according to the market demand
• Provide incentives targeted to youth in agriculture
• Better visibility of Schemes/Programmes in
agriculture
• Encourage use of ICTs in agriculture and promote
new technologies

21. Recommendations
• Increase investment in agriculture
• Promote youth leadership in agriculture
• Introduce mentorship programmes to
guide youths in agriculture
• Include youth in policy decisions
• Introduce pre-job training programme for
youth in agriculture