NGO Name: Eco-Sud
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Project Summary
The pressures of global environmental crises threaten food security worldwide. The environmental degradation associated with industrial agriculture, and its general failure to lead to resilient food systems has highlighted the need to adopt agro-ecological practices that, in brief, are more sustainable, lead to more productive food systems, are more socially inclusive and promote biodiversity. Indeed, agro-ecology has recently emerged as the approach that provides basic ecological principles to build and manage sustainable agro-ecosystems that are productive while preserving natural resources, to be culturally sensitive, socially-just, and economically viable. These systems provide resilient solutions to food systems.
The island nation of Mauritius is highly dependent on food imports. In addition to the consequences of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and the disastrous MV Wakashio oil spill have revealed the fragility of food systems in Mauritius. Hence, there is a pressing need to increase food self-sufficiency. There is an opportunity to support the people that have directly lost their income due to COVID-19 and the oil spill, and sustainably increase food security in Mauritius.
The Resilient Organic Community – or *ROC project* – is an important initiative of the NGO Eco-Sud to sustainably increase food security in Mauritius. The agro-ecological centres at Ville Noire will support beneficiaries through:
(i) a Solidarity Shop which will carry the distribution of food and provide a psychological support program,
(ii) a training area and the construction of food production kits (agro-kits) destined for the community,
(iii) a soil amendment and compost-making facility, and
(iv) plantations for food production.
Project Update (May 2021)
All 4 containers have been placed on their foundations. Two roof frames are now ready. Doors and windows will be made in the next 2-3 weeks and then the canvas for the roof will be added. Simultaneously, more land has been cleared to start the planting of vegetables. The first 20 agro-kits will also be made soon. The ROC are also currently waiting for their permit to open the Solidarity Shop.
Project Update (July 2021)
Because of the generosity of our funder, Mauritius Blue Action, the Resilience Organic Community (ROC) Project has covered the costs of their four containers. This means that this project can continue to prepare to educate the community on self-sustaining practices that positively impact the environment. The land has been cleared to begin preparing the agro-kits and their solidarity shop will open soon. The two roof frames are now ready to be covered with canvas, the containers are being painted and the doors and windows will be made in the next couple of weeks. Thank you to everyone involved for making this possible!
Project Update (September 2021)
The ROC Project is now fully functional with all the structures in place. The containers have been converted to create the storage, office, and solidarity shop that they planned to be. The first batch of 30 beneficiaries are now enrolled and have learned how to create their own backyard gardens as well as assist in the setting up of the gardens on the project. It is a hive of activity with a sense of community and partnership as everyone works and laughs together. Well done EcoSud and thank you to Itochu for funding the containers!
STAGE 4 – Project Up and Running:
STAGE 3 – Preparing the Containers:
STAGE 2 – Placing the Containers:
STAGE 1 – Clearing the Land:
Please Note: All information herein, in part or in whole, is that of the said NGO and not of the I61 Foundation. 100% of the funds raised will be allocated to the project. If you have any questions, we would be more than happy to answer them. Thank you for your consideration.
