Sunday 5 April 2015

APDA Price giving ceremony for the Drawing competition

Event agenda: APDA Prize giving ceremony for the Drawing competition
Date : 13th February 2015, 13:30 p.m
Venue: APDA, Impasse Bougainville, Curepipe

Guest:
Chief Guest : 
  • Mr.Hardowar
SAO TEAM
  • Vagish,Sivani, Anusha, Sarvesh and Soobashinnee
AIESEC Interns 
  • 17 AIESEC interns
Master of ceremony
  • Ms. Anusha Seechurn

Equipments :
  • Table
  • Chair
  • Table covers (cloth) (TAPI)
  • Gift items
  • Board to display the drawings
  • Pin

Winners
  • Prevoc 3: GeerishKarnal Teepoo Jenissa Charles and Kunal Kurreah
  • CPE: Ketuman Bansee
  • Std 5: Juliana Tauckoory and Adeline Noyan
  • Std 4: Marie Christine Claire
  • Std 1: Celina Guilbeau
  • Pre-Primary: James Kasimir and shaan Achadoo

Layout of the site for price giving:

# blue colour is the site for price giving ceremony



Overview 

The overarching aim of this activity was to reward the 10 students who were outstanding in the painting competition under the theme Agriculture organized by SAO on 24th of September 2014. The credit for success of the prize giving goes to Indian Oil who was our sponsor, the APDA staff members and the SAO team for their collaboration.



Activity description
Sponsored by Indian Oil, the Sustainable Agricultural Organisation was able to carry out its first prize giving ceremony since its creation. The aim of this prize giving ceremony was to reward the 10 best students who were outstanding in the drawing competition under the theme “Agriculture” organized by SAO on the 24th of September 2014. The SAO team as well as 3 interns who are working on a project with SAO reached the APDA School at 10.00 a.m to help with the setup of the podium. The ceremony started a few minutes after the arrival of the Guest of Honor, Mr Shane Hardowar. The prize giving ceremony started with the pre-primary students followed by the first standard up to the prevocational. The ceremony was later joined by some other 14 interns who are also working on a project with SAO. The prize giving ceremony was finally concluded by a collation offered the APDA School.



Figure 1: The APDA family and SAO


Figure 2: The Audience for the prize giving


Figure 3: Mr. Shane Hardowar giving prize to Shaan


Figure 4: Mr. Keshwar Lobin, vice president of SAO giving prize to the representative of a winner


Figure 5: Ms. Sivani member of SAO allocating a prize to the winner


Figure 6: One of the interns Ms. Chen Li Yue as our special guest


 Figure 7: Painting competition winners


Figure8: Painting competition winners


Figure 9: Painting competition winners

Smart Agriculture Project - Hydroponics & Orchard Presentation and Site Visit Medine


Event agenda: Hydroponics & Orchard Presentation and Site Visit Medine
Date : 9th & 10th February 2015

Hydroponics & Orchard Presentation and Site Visit Medine

On Monday 9th February 2015, the SAO team consisting of Vagish Ramborun, Keshwar Lobin and Anusha Seechurn reached the interns’ resident at 11:00.Mr. Ramborun and Miss. Seechurn did a thorough presentation on Hydroponics for one hour. The interns had the opportunity to learn about soil-less culture, nutrients, substrates and media, systems of hydroponics, crops grown hydroponics, advantages and drawbacks, contribution of hydroponics in food security, vertical farming and finally aquaponics. After a break of 10 minute, Mr. Lobin resumed with a presentation on Orchard which lasted for 30 minutes. The interns were active during the presentation. 

After the presentations, the interns were attributed the task to do a Summary based on all the knowledge and know-how they have acquired on Agriculture since Day 1. They were divided into 3 groups of 3 and 1 group of 4. Their level of creativity, knowledge and pro-active skills were remarkable. The “Model Farms” illustrated by the interns were excellent piece of work where 2 groups demarcated themselves. But the winners were outstanding as they displayed step by step understanding. They were by a basket of fresh Mauritian fruits gifted by Mr. Keshwar Lobin. The.The output of this exercise was encouraging and satisfying as it demonstrated that the Smart Agriculture Project has been successful. 

On the 10th February, the interns landed at Medine Limited, Tamarin section to study the hydroponic system/ greenhouse where the interns learnt about the structure of a greenhouse, the irrigation & fertigation process, the life cycle of the plants, the production rate and the benefit of a green house.


Figure 1Mr. Ramborun explaining to the interns on hydroponics


Figure 2Miss Seechurn delivering presentation on Hydroponics


Figure 3Mr. Lobin presenting on Orchard


Figure 4Winners with SAO team (Team 2)


Figure 5Model Farm illustration (Team 1)


  Figure 6Summary of Smart Agriculture (Team 2)


  Figure 7Summary of Smart Agriculture (Team 3)


  Figure 8Model Farm illustration (Team 4)



  Figure 9Mr. Yogesh explaining the interns


 Figure 10Mr. Sarvesh explaining the fertigation process


 Figure 11Mr. Vagish explaining the Structure of the hydroponic


Figure 12Tomato production in greenhouse

Smart Agriculture Project - Presentation on Dairy Cow & Site Visit at the Dairy Farm at FAREI


Event agenda: Presentation on Dairy Cow & Site Visit at the Dairy Farm at FAREI Curepipe
Date : 4th & 6th February 2015

 Presentation on Dairy cow & Site Visit at the Dairy Farm FAREI Curepipe


On Wednesday 4th February, 2015, the SAO team reached the intern house around 10 o’clock where a presentation on Dairy Cow was done. The presentation which lasted for 45 minutes started with a question and answer session to engage the interns in critical thinking on the different derivatives of milk. The Winner who was able to list at least 11 products and was rewarded a home-made cake prepared by Mr. Sarvesh. During the presentation session, the interns were introduced to the Dairy cow production system, Lactation cycle, Food security and the Economic importance of dairy sector.

On Friday 6th February 2015, the interns landed at the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Unit, FAREI Dairy Cow sector at Curepipe. The visit was guided by Miss. Vijaya; assistant research scientist at FAREI. The interns were exposed to different livestock units for example the dairy cow unit, the heifer unit, the bull unit, the Goat unit, the rabbit unit and finally the crop museum.


Figure 1Explaining on the different breeds of dairy cows


Figure 2Explanation on the management practices


Figure 3Goat production Unit


Figure 4Group Photo at FAREI curepipe

Smart Agriculture Project - Crop Plantation by Interns at University of Mauritius Farm


Event agenda: Crop Plantation by Interns at University of Mauritius Farm
Date : 5th February 2015

 Crop Plantation by Interns at University of Mauritius Farm

On Thursday 5th of February, the interns had the opportunity to plant vegetable crops at the University of Mauritius Farm. The aim of this activity was to promote the adoption of farming among the interns. Among the crops that they planted include beans and chilly. The interns also got to learn on some farming techniques such making furrows, digging holes and raising beds.



Figure 1Digging furrows for planting beans


Figure 2Digging holes for chili plantation


Figure 3Planting of beans in furrows


Figure 4Planting of chili plant


Figure 5The land after cultivation

Smart Agriculture Project - Presentation on Broilers and Layers Site Visit at Beau Climat


Event agenda: Presentation on Broilers and Layers Site Visit at Beau Climat
Date : 2nd February 2015

 Presentation on Broilers and Layers Site Visit at Beau Climat

On Monday 2nd of February 2015, the SAO team reached the intern house around 10 o’clock where a presentation on the poultry industry was conducted by Mr. Vagish and Miss. Vijaya which lasted for about 30 minutes. During the presentation session, the interns were introduced to the Poultry industry focusing on management practices and the modernization of the industry. 

Then after a short break, the presentation continued with Layer Chickens which lasted for about 40 minutes. During the presentation session, the interns were explained on the Egg production Cycle followed by a demonstration on different parts of an egg. 

The interns had a site visit at Beau Climat broiler processing plant in collaboration with Innodis Ltd. The interns had to wear coats, boots, head caps and masks for safety and bio-security measures and were divided into 2 groups for the visit. The aim of the visit was to demonstrate the interns how chicken meat is processed and packed. The interns had the opportunity to see the machineries used and the method of storing processed chickens.


Figure 1Miss Vijaya showing different breeds of layer chicken


Figure 2Mr. Vagish showing importance of the vitelline membrane in eggs


Figure 3The 1st group accompanied by Mr. Vagish and technical officers

Smart Agriculture Project - Presentation on Pig Production & Site Visit at St. Martin

Event agenda: Presentation on Pig Production & Site Visit at St. Martin
Date : 30th January 2015

 Presentation on Pig Production & Site Visit at St martin 

On Friday 30th January 2015, the SAO team reached the intern house around 10 o’clock where a presentation was started by Mr. Vagish which lasted around 30 minutes. During the presentation session, the interns were introduced to the pig production system focusing on management practices mainly.

The interns then proceeded for a site visit at St. Martin . The site visit was possible with the collaboration of Mr. German Lavigilante who is an active pig breeder with over 20 years of experience in the pig industry. The aim of the site visit was to demonstrate the interns about the pig management system in Mauritius and also its importance in food security. The interns had the opportunity to be in touch with small piglets for the first time of their life.

Figure 1: Mr. German Lavigilante explaining on pig production


Figure 2: Interns at the pig production unit


Figure 3: Piglets found in the pen (Weaning process)

Smart Agriculture Project - Site Visit at the Insect Museum, Entomology Division, Min. of Agro Industry and Food Security


Event agenda: Site Visit at the Insect Museum, Entomology Division, Min. of Agro Industry and Food Security
Date : 28th January 2015

Site Visit at the Insect museum, Entomology Division, Min. of Agro Industry and Food Security

On Wednesday 28th January 2015, Members of SAO, Ramdinee Aadarsh and Ramborun Vagish held a PowerPoint presentation on Integrated Pest Management for Project Smart Agriculture to show the necessity of a sustainable crop protection to the AIESEC interns, the presentation took place at the intern house at 9:30 to 10:00. As soon as the presentation ended, the SAO team together with the interns took off to Reduit for a site visit at the Insect Museum, Entomology Division, Min. of Agro Industry and Food security. 

 We were welcomed by Mrs. Alleck, Scientific officer and she lead the visit to the insect museum and also gave an overview on the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to control fruit flies. Finally, the interns were made familiar with insects as they carried out an insect collection at the University of Mauritius Farm. Mr. Ramdinee showed them how to properly mount the insect they collected on mounting board. The site visit ended at 13:30 and the interns had lunch at the University campus before heading back to the intern house.


Figure 1: Interns visiting the Insect Museum


Figure 2: Insect collection display


Figure 3: Mrs. Alleck briefing the interns on Biological control


Figure 4: Mrs Alleck briefing the interns on SIT


Figure 5: Insect Collection at the UOM Farm


Figure 6: Demonstration of proper mounting techniques


Figure 7: Interns trying to mount insects

Smart Agriculture Project - Presentation on Vegetables and Site Visit at Medine Ltd.


Event agenda: Presentation on vegetables and Site Visit at Medine Ltd.
Date : 21st January 2015

Presentation on vegetables and Site Visit at Medine Ltd.

On Wednesday 21st January 2015, the SAO team reached the Intern house around 10.30 am where a presentation on vegetables was started by Miss Sivani which lasted for around 15 minutes. In order to make the presentation interactive, the Interns where asked questions such as to give the maximum number of vegetables of which they were aware upon which the one who gave the most number of vegetables was given a fruit. In fact, the presentation session was very interesting since everyone was able to cooperate as well as to reply questions and understand the topic which was discussed.


The site visit took place at Medine Ltd where the interns had the opportunity to visit the various vegetable sections which include the banana, lettuce, carrot, pumpkin and papaya orchard among others. The visit was guided by Mr. Anoop who is an agronomist at Medine Ltd and Mr.Yogesh who is in charge of diversification. The 2 hour visit ended at the mango orchard where the interns were given a mango treat.



Figure 1: The Interns thinking of the different examples of vegetables


Figure 2Mr. Anoop explaining on lettuce production



Figure 3Intern harvesting fresh carrots


Figure 4A mango treat offered by Medine

Smart Agriculture Project - Site Visit at the University of Mauritius Farm


Event agenda: Site Visit at the University of Mauritius Farm
Date : 20th January 2015

 Site Visit at the University of Mauritius Farm

On Tuesday 20th January 2015, the project Smart Agriculture started its first site visit at the University of Mauritius Farm. This site visit was possible with the help and collaboration of the Faculty of Agriculture and Mr. Pranit; the acting farm manager. The aim of this site visit was to demonstrate to the interns on how a model farm functions and how crop and livestock production are synergies to each other. 



 The Interns started their visit starting with the dairy sector where they had the opportunity to milk a cow for their first time. The interns then moved on to the goat and sheep production unit. The visit continued with the rabbit and broiler production unit. Following this, they got to learn about duck production and plant nursery. The visit ended with a visit at the orchard where the interns got the opportunity to learn a bit about local fruits. To end with, the farm offered the interns a jack fruit treat.



Figure 1: Interns at the goat and sheep production Unit


Figure 2: Interns at the rabbit production unit


Figure 3: Mr. Pranit explaining to the interns on the functioning of the farm
  

Figure 4: The interns visiting the orchard


Figure 5: A jack fruit treat offered by the UOM Farm