BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science and Technology (Biosecurity)

The changing socio-economic pattern of Mauritius has led to an increasing demand for agricultural produce of good quality. Agricultural production is now increasingly being characterised by the use of modern technology. It is the Government policy and vision for the future to adopt a technology-based approach to render the local agricultural sector more productive, resource-efficient, service-oriented, sustainable and competitive whilst responding to the environmental and ethical standards demanded by society. The further development of agriculture and its related industries is challenging and requires appropriate knowledge, skills and competences to keep pace with the latest technological developments in that sector. This has led to the need for well-trained agricultural scientists who have the technical and practical skills in addition to in-depth scientific knowledge to meet these new challenges facing the Mauritian agriculture as well as for those interested in embarking on postgraduate studies. However, with increasing global trade, movement of people, threat of global pandemics, and global climate change, the potential for the introduction of pests and diseases in Mauritius is increasing in spite of existing quarantine measures and disease surveillance programmes in place. In the same vein, it is also increasingly crucial that emphasis is placed on good agricultural practices and hygienic practices at primary production level to minimise outbreaks of hazards, and at the same time to produce quality and safe foods. Thus the dimension of biosecurity is increasingly becoming important. This could represent an important threat to the agricultural sector and ultimately to our local food security. We thus need trained human resources to analyse and manage risks posed by plant and animal pests and diseases (e.g. Avian Flu), the introduction of invasive alien species (e.g. weeds) and the introduction and release of GMOs and their products, and manage response activities in the most effective way in the awake of a biosecurity threat. The programme is structured towards the acquisition of scientific skills and practical knowledge in agricultural science and production in combination with an understanding of the science and regulation of biosecurity. In addition, students are exposed with the knowledge and application of concepts, tools and techniques in the management of small and medium agribusinesses.