Vivo Energy Mauritius Sparks Green Fun with Eco-Gardening Contest for Grade 5

In a bold stride towards nurturing sustainable agriculture among the nation’s youngest minds, Vivo Energy Mauritius—licencee of the renowned Shell franchise—has unveiled an ambitious new initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Dubbed “À vos maquettes, prêts, plantez!” (Ready, Steady, Plant!), this creative inter-school contest is set to ignite the imaginations of Grade 5 pupils across the island, with the ultimate goal of fostering environmental stewardship and agricultural innovation.

This groundbreaking endeavour forms the cornerstone of the larger “Mon jardin, ma santé” (My Garden, My Health) project—a visionary campaign dedicated to inspiring the next generation to embrace sustainable farming practices.

And at the heart of this initiative lies a remarkable prize: the realisation of a fully autonomous, energy-efficient vegetable garden in five victorious primary schools.

The Challenge and Its Educational Significance

The challenge is straightforward yet profound. Students are called upon to craft detailed, three-dimensional models of innovative vegetable gardens that harmonise with their school’s environment.

These models must depict solutions that uphold the principles of environmental preservation, resource conservation, and biodiversity enhancement.

With a focus on education as a tool for positive change, Vivo Energy Mauritius aligns this initiative with its core societal values—promoting health through nutritious food, which in turn depends on safeguarding our planet’s natural resources.

The theme, “Design a sustainable, relief-model vegetable garden,” opens a vast landscape for exploration: micro-farms, permaculture, composting, hydroponics, aquaponics, organic farming, vertical gardens, and greenhouse cultivation are just some of the avenues students may explore.

Creativity is encouraged to produce projects that are both innovative and feasible.

The models will showcase diverse sustainable agricultural practices—such as judicious resource management, water optimisation, soil improvement, reduction of chemical use, and biodiversity conservation.

The Prize and Long-Term Impact

Fouad Khfifi, the Director General of Vivo Energy Mauritius, emphasises the importance of environmental education beyond textbooks:

“By initiating this contest, we aim to sow the seeds of lasting awareness among our youth, equipping them with the desire and tools to care for our planet as they grow.”

The victorious schools will see their visions transformed into reality through the installation of a state-of-the-art aquaponic garden—an all-in-one ecosystem occupying a six by two-metre space.

This garden will include an irrigation and lighting system, approximately fifty fish, nutrients, and supplies sufficient for a year’s cultivation.

Thanks to a strategic partnership with Leal Énergie, the garden will also feature a solar kit, ensuring it operates entirely off-grid, harnessing the sun’s power to sustain itself autonomously.

To guarantee the project’s long-term success, two school staff members will receive comprehensive training in managing and maintaining this living ecosystem—a vital step in nurturing responsible stewardship of the garden.

Participation Conditions and Evaluation Criteria

Participation conditions specify that each model must be crafted on an A2-sized support using cardboard or wood.

The base of the garden model should be illustrated or represented, with three-dimensional elements such as plants, watering systems, or trellises.

Students are encouraged to employ a variety of techniques—collage, cutting, movable parts—while prioritising the use of natural or recycled materials, reinforcing the project’s eco-friendly ethos.

An independent jury will evaluate submissions based on three key criteria: originality and innovation, environmental respect, and practical feasibility within a primary school setting.

This pioneering competition was officially announced through a circular issued by the Ministry of Education on 7th April 2025.

The winners will be revealed on 20th June 2025, marking a significant step forward in Mauritius’s journey towards sustainable development—one model at a time.

Source: Le Mauricien