How the UN is assisting Mauritius to secure its food systems.

This is a particularly interesting time to be the Resident Co-ordinator for a small island state like Mauritius. Since my arrival in the country in 2022, I have experienced the impact of extreme weather conditions such as flooding and cyclones, as well as water shortages.

These visible effects of climate change, combined with our geographical remoteness, limited economies of scale and high cost of import have grave consequences for our island's food security. The escalating high import cost is amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war.

Consequently, ensuring food security is a growing concern in our sustainable economic transformation agenda.

Robust food systems have emerged as more than just an agricultural challenge; they could potentially be a catalyst for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The upcoming UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment taking place in Rome, Italy, from July 24-26, 2023, provides an opportunity for Mauritius and other participating countries to focus on accelerating the transformative power of food systems.

Food production is interconnected with other sectors. While water and energy are direct inputs at all stages of the food value chain, natural resources, ecosystems, and their services underpin the security of these inputs.

Agriculture accounts for 30 per cent of water use in Mauritius.

Globally, one-third of the world's available energy is consumed by the food production value chain.

Addressing water scarcity and investing in renewable energy is critical to food security.

Mauritius imports three-quarters of its energy (oil), with renewable energy accounting for 24 percent of its current energy mix. It imports over 77 percent of its food requirements, with rising prices of staple foods such as bread, black lentils, powdered milk and cooking oil straining households.

This heavy reliance on imports, including seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, technology, and equipment, makes Mauritius vulnerable to disruptions in global commodity and supply chains.

Transforming food systems can play a key role in countries' mitigation and adaptation strategies. For instance, in line with its Nationally Determined Contributions, Mauritius has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing Green House Gas emissions from the agricultural sector.

It has also identified agriculture as a priority sector for climate change adaptation, with a focus on efficient irrigation techniques and climate-smart agriculture...