The International Affairs Committee (IAC) met with Mr Barry Nourrice, the Chairperson of the Agricultural Producers Association of Seychelles (APAS) on Wednesday 14th September 2022, to discuss the national food security situation and the Associations status on the subject.
Following the welcoming remarks by the Chairperson of the IAC, Hon. Waven William, Mr Nourrice presided the meeting with a presentation detailing the promotion of sustainable development of national food security and explained the philosophy of APAS. This included defending the food sovereignty of Seychelles, promoting the efficiency of production, distribution and marketing of agricultural products, as well as providing the right business environment for local producers. Mr. Nourrice addressed the need for the adoption of a modern biotechnological farming methods as these methods would then be conveniently implemented by the Agricultural school and governed by a specific body.
Further notable discussions took place on the subject of local farmers’ interest to also invest in agricultural activities on Coetivy and potential islands managed by the Islands Development Company (IDC). A way forward is yet to materialize but APAS remains optimistic. The various challenges of the farming community were also highlighted, namely issues of funding, taxation and access to loans; particularly the inability to access sustainable funding from the UNODC due to lack of proper management frameworks and institutional capacities to develop the said framework. The challenges of climate change were also raised as it is the source of many agricultural challenges today.
Mr Nourrice expressed APAS’ wishes to improve the working relationship between the farming community and the National Assembly for the purpose of securing legislative support when it comes to national food security and ensuring that the appropriate strategies are adopted by government going forward. Hon. William indicated that the IAC will further consult on the valuable points presented and through its oversight role try to influence certain positions on the way forward. He further pointed out that food sovereignty should be the concern of all not only the farming community and thus the necessity for a more collaborative approach for securing the sustainable development goals would be beneficial.
Other Members of the IAC present were the Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Wavel Woodcock, Hon. Johan Loze, Hon. Philip Arissol. Hon. Sathya Naidu, although not a Member of the IAC was welcomed and attended the meeting to enlarge his knowledge on the subject of discussion.
