Vegetables and fruits are important food crops playing a greater role in food trade in Mauritius. Being a tropical island, the availability of all types of fruits and vegetables for consumption in Mauritius is seasonal in nature. They play an important role in human daily diet, being rich sources of proteins, vitamins and essential minerals.
We all like to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, but we love the ones that are mature, ripe and soft and juicy (in case of fruits); but the overripe ones get spoilt sooner than expected. This situation causes lots of sadness, worries and disappointment to the farming community as well as the other stakeholders including consumers, dealers and all scientific personnel involved. Vegetables and fruits are grown in the open field and protected conditions in Mauritius. As from the recent past the prevalence of the latter condition is gaining importance.
Bearing the above in mind, the Food Security Fund, which emanated from the National Conference set up by the Ministry of Agro Industry in 2008, had established 4 technical sub-committees to elaborate the way forward for the Agro Industry. One of them was the “Strategic Plan for Setting up a National Auction Market.” As it was unanimously agreed by all stakeholders and participants that: “The traditional marketing system is not able to handle commodities produced with modern technology and the new exigencies of the consumers. A market structure to take care for the bulk sale of fresh vegetables and fruits would be the first step towards this modernization that would service both the farming community and the consumers and at the same time providing a better operating condition to the operators involved in the marketing of fresh vegetables and fruits.” 
The Technical Committee which comprised farmers and farmer representatives, and senior officers of AREU, SFWF, AMB, local government and parent ministry, came out with a detailed report after having followed all established set of principles in modern management policies. They analysed the existing system, carried out a SWOT analysis and came up with “A proposed model of an operating system of the NWM.” The proposed report contained all the elements of a well-defined NWM. It included amongst others: 1) Inspection of produce and quality control, 2) provisions for grading and use of below-norms and unsold products and their economic uses by way of composting and animal feed, 3) provision of cold storage facilities as a standby facility for 24 hours period. The NWM would serve as an excellent platform for traceability and value chain models and value addition through transformation of fruits and vegetables.
That report served as the basis for a foreign consultant for a complete report and action plan. This exercise was completed by 2013. Even the Director of Audit mentioned those facts in his report for year 2022. It mentioned that:
“The setting up of a National Wholesale Market was contemplated by the Ministry since the year 2008. The main objectives of the project were among others to improve the financial livelihood of the planters, provide quality products at an affordable price to consumers and to create a modern infrastructure for handling of fruits and vegetables in compliance with relevant legislations as well as agricultural norms/standards.” It further states that “as at 31 October a total amount of Rs435 million had been disbursed on the project including a consultancy fee of Rs16.8 million.” It must also be mentioned that a contract of Rs389 million was awarded in 2018 and that the project ought to have been completed by January 1, 2020. Finally, it has been inaugurated on 27 July 2023 with extra expenditure, which is said to total the whole amount to more than Rs 450 million.
The NWM was finally launched on 27 July 2023. The NWM is an imposing building with much better facilities than the existing auction markets. Unfortunately, as it is, it looks like a huge warehouse wherein auctioneers are provided with enhanced basic facilities to do their jobs better. At first glance, it is apparent that operation is being done in the same systems as set up by the auctioneers, and vegetable and fruit producers are facing the music. No provision of quality control, grading and selection as proposed in the study are made. It looks like Rs450 million has been spent for the facilities of some 40 or more auctioneers and little or negligible facilities are provided for the major players who are the farmers. As we are in the initial implementation phase we remain hopeful that the responsible authorities will take necessary actions to complement.
In its coverage of the inauguration of the NWM, it was reported on Sunday 30/07/2023 that the idea of the above emanated in 2000.
The human has a problem. He looks at parameters of success, looks at the aims of success the other one has and he does not. They have so much while I don’t have. This comparison leads to sadness worries, disappointment and much more. Is that right? Why should one compare and create embarrassing situations for one’s own self? If we draw a big line then our existence won’t be affected. It’s how one feels that controls one’s actions, we need a knife to cut but we can’t use it for stitching clothes for instance. One needs to think less of others’ actions, good or bad, but more of oneself’s. Help everyone and compete with yourself while concentrating on the mission statements set prior. By so doing he gives everyone his due and even the devil its due.
