When I finished my Higher School Certificate exams (with science background) in 2013 and was about to apply to university, I was advised by many to opt for popular courses such as engineering or pure sciences. These courses were in high demand and the job market for same also seemed interesting. However, I decided to do Agriculture Science and Technology as my undergraduate degree. While some ‘knowledgeable’ people discouraged me to go for this course due to limited jobs in the sector apparently, I am grateful to my father who motivated me to follow my heart.
Today, I work as an Agriculture educator at Mayflower college and not only am I proud of this noble profession but also, it is a daily challenge for me to encourage students to show a liking for this subject; a subject that according to me, is still not getting the recognition that it deserves.
Personal experience
In March 2023, I was selected among 100+ young Africans coming from public management, civic, and business & entrepreneurship stream to participate in a leadership and residential programme in South Africa. At the end of the intensive 3-weeks programme, each participant had to pitch for a potential project that they are currently working on in their respective African countries. My project was on the agriculture theme at Mayflower college, and I was the only Mauritian candidate to be chosen among the Top 11 projects (out of 100+ projects). This achievement fuelled my belief that agriculture is still relevant in many ways in today’s world.
Agriculture – a vital non-core subject
Our rising youth are undeniably fascinated by the latest technologies, and they are somehow not to be blamed for same. Our world is developing rapidly, and technology is believed to make life easier to a large extent. However, it saddens me as an educator to see that students are more inclined towards ‘core’ subjects. They are also taught by adults that some subjects are more important than others. It is true that some subjects can lead to better prospects for students later on but that does not mean that the others are ‘less important’. Agriculture is taught in very few secondary schools in Mauritius and the number of students willing to opt for the subject as a Cambridge O’ level subject is unsurprisingly, very low.
Being self-sufficient
Covid-19 and its repercussions took the entire world by storm. Confinements proved to be challenging for all of us but at the same time, these periods were also beneficial to many. Some explored a new hobby. Some learnt how to cook. Some learnt how to grow their own plants and vegetables. This is where the importance of agriculture can be understood. It does not require much to take the initiative to grow one’s own vegetables. Many students doing agriculture have narrated their personal experiences of how knowledge from their agriculture syllabus assisted them during confinement. They were able to help their parents in many ways. They got the opportunity to share their know-how regarding growing, watering, and reaping vegetables to bring food on the table at a time when money was present in pockets, but restrictions were so high that none could step out to buy food.
Agriculture – An asset for all
Life is very unpredictable, and as much as we would never wish for it, we never know when we might see ourselves confined for weeks again. It is therefore of paramount importance for us to educate our children right from an early age to be self-sufficient to some extent. Agriculture Science & Technology is offered as an undergraduate degree, and it is quite heartening to see that some youth still want to pursue a career in this sector. Introducing agriculture as an optional Cambridge A’ level subject can also incite our rising generations to give the subject the same importance as core ones.
World Environment Day 2023: Mayflower College
At Mayflower college, thanks to the support of the manager, Mrs. Lutchmah, we celebrated world environment day (officially on 5th June 2023) as well as science week until the 9th of June. Students from both main and extended streams, with the help of educators, are engaged in Environment & Science week. Mayflower College is also involved in Eco-school projects. Eco-school is the largest sustainable school programme in the world and is operated by Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It also empowers students to be the change of our sustainable world needs by engaging them in fun, action-oriented learning. Activities such as vertical farming, aquaponics, segregation bins for recycling, rainwater harvesting for irrigating agricultural crops are all few work being done at the school with the help of the management, educators, and all school staffs. In my opinion, agriculture is a subject that is accessible to all students irrespective of their intellect level and abilities. To conclude, I would be pleased to see other schools taking similar initiatives like Mayflower College to support agriculture projects. After all, as beautifully said by George Washington “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man”.
