Empowering women to drive agricultural innovation
A ceremony celebrating the successful completion of an agribusiness training program for 58 women was held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the National Women’s Development Centre in Phoenix, with the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, in attendance.
The event, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its Accelerator Lab, saw the National Women Entrepreneur Council (NWEC) award agribusiness kits to 14 women entrepreneurs. A selection committee from the University of Mauritius, UNDP, and the NWEC evaluated the participants on-site to identify those deserving of kits. These kits, which included seeds, fertilizers, and other essential agricultural tools, were designed to help boost productivity and ensure the sustainable growth of the women’s agricultural ventures.
The training aimed to equip women with the knowledge and tools to cultivate agricultural products, contributing to local food security and sustainability. The program focused on three key areas: herb cultivation and sales for 58 participants, juice production for 14 participants, pineapple juice processing for 11 participants, and dairy processing for another 11, with a strong emphasis on hygiene and regulatory compliance for dairy products.
Minister Koonjoo-Shah commended the women for their dedication and passion, recognizing their crucial role in the economy and their potential to inspire others. She highlighted their commitment to economic independence and food security. She stressed the importance of such training programs, supported by international and local partners, in empowering women and nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit.
