BSc (Hons) in Crop Technology (Landscape Management)

The Crop sector plays a vital role in ensuring food security, creating wealth, alleviating poverty and ensuring rural livelihoods. Self-sufficiency in food production is being addressed so as to cater for the needs of the growing population. Appropriate agricultural innovations, technologies, knowledge and skills are of paramount importance in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change, to ensure the production of quality food products at competitive prices and to support development in the construction and tourist industries. Landscape design and management is increasingly being promulgated by the private sector in recent years. The Government of Mauritius is also actively encouraging the use of green, efficient and innovative eco-friendly technologies, such as green roofs and bio-farming, for sustainable agricultural development. In line with the expansion of agro-tourism, development of the integrated resort schemes (IRS), luxury hotels/ villas/ residential complexes, golf-course estates and smart cities, the landscape industry is becoming one of the main avenues for wealth creation and economic diversification. Landscaping is primordial to tourism and infrastructural development in many facets; sustainable landscapes have the potential to enhance mental, physical and social wellbeing, and these attributes are overwhelmingly important to a high standard of living and quality of life. This programme therefore aims at incorporating the landscape elements in sustainable agricultural development, as well as in creating relaxed and restorative environments, with the application of efficient and innovative techniques of crop production technology. The programme also offers students the opportunity to undertake a 6-month Internship at the end of the third year, in organizations relevant to the field of study. The Internship aims at (i) developing technical and practical skills of students in the area of crop production and landscape design and management and (ii) familiarizing students with skills that will enable them to contribute to the professionalization of crop agriculture in Mauritius. The module ‘Professional Development’ will support the student’s development of personal and professional behaviour appropriate to a professional Internship.