Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions for resilient ecosystems in Mauritius
In a bid to promote sustainable environmental stewardship and climate resilience, the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), launched today at Hennessy Park Hotel in Ebène, a pioneering five-year project titled “Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions in Land-Use Systems for Productive and Resilient Ecosystems.”
The Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell; Junior Minister Gilles Fabrice David; and the FAO Representative in Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles, Dr Mbuli Charles Boliko, were present at the launch event.
The initiative, to the tune of USD 78,3 million, aims to combat ecosystem degradation, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and strengthen food security while promoting sustainable economic growth. Coordinated by the FAO and co-financed by the GEF, the project is a cornerstone of Government Programme 2025-2029, which prioritises environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and inclusive development.
By integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into land-use systems, Mauritius seeks to restore degraded landscapes, enhance agricultural productivity, and safeguard biodiversity, ensuring long-term benefits for local communities and key sectors such as agriculture and tourism.
In his keynote address, Minister Boolell highlighted that the project comes at a critical time when the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation are being felt across landscapes, affecting the livelihoods of people especially the farming community and threatening the sustainability of food systems in Mauritius.
Speaking about food security, Dr Boolell recalled that a major component of the project is geared towards strengthening food security. He pointed out that as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Mauritius is vulnerable to external shocks such as extreme weather events and droughts which affect agricultural productivity, disrupt food supply chains and undermine the resilience of local communities.
According to him, NbS offer a powerful and practical response to these challenges. ‘By integrating Nature-based Solutions into our land-use systems, we are not only addressing environmental challenges but also ensuring that Mauritius remains food-secure, economically stable, and environmentally healthy for future generations’, he said.
For his part, Junior Minister David stated that the project is designed not only to protect the environment but also to uplift the people. He recalled that gender equality and women’s empowerment are central pillars of this initiative adding that the youth are also called upon to inject new energy, ideas and entrepreneurship into the agricultural sector, ensuring a people-centered and future-facing approach to development.
As for Dr Mbuli Charles Boliko, he pointed out that the project is aligned with the Blue and Green Islands Programme, and elevates Mauritius as a lodestar among SIDS - proving that ecological stewardship and economic vitality are not just compatible, but mutually reinforcing. He added that by imbedding NbS in land-use planning, Mauritius is charting a course of visionary planning and is securing prosperity for future generations.
Project overview and key objectives
The project aims to promote policy coherence and good governance for ecosystem management, and implement NbS at farm and landscape levels to boost food security and biodiversity. Other key objectives are to unlock sustainable finance and private sector engagement for conservation, foster knowledge-sharing among SIDS, and empower women, youth and local stakeholders through participatory approaches.
The project will span over a period of five years, with interventions across Mauritius and Rodrigues, focusing on ridge-to-reef ecosystems. It underscores the interconnectedness of terrestrial, coastal, and marine environments, addressing challenges such as soil erosion, water scarcity, and climate vulnerabilities.