PM Ramgoolam Hails Ferney Tropical Agrihood as ‘Path to Sustainable Development’

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam officially launched the Ferney Tropical Agrihood, praising it as “an audacious and visionary initiative” and an example of the CIEL group “showing the path to sustainable development in Mauritius.”

The Prime Minister, speaking at the official launch on Wednesday, 22 October, lauded the project for successfully combining modernity, sustainable agriculture, environmental respect, and community well-being. He described the Agrihood as the “perfect example” of public-private sector collaboration.

Ramgoolam Champions Environmental Preservation

Mr. Ramgoolam emphasised his deep personal connection to the Ferney Valley, recalling his past commitment to its preservation and to sustainability across Mauritius.

He made particular reference to his time as Leader of the Opposition, when he successfully fought against a proposed highway project that threatened to seriously damage the valley’s ecosystem.

The Prime Minister expressed a “particular pleasure” in returning to the valley, a place he holds “deeply in his heart.”

Linking Agrihood to National Sustainability Vision

The Prime Minister drew a direct link between the Ferney Agrihood’s principles and his own broader national sustainability vision, the Maurice Île Durable (MID) project, which he launched in 2008.

MID, developed with Professor Joël de Rosnay and coordinated by Osman Mahomed, was built on five pillars: education, environment, energy, employment, and equity. Mr. Ramgoolam noted that the programme was conceived at a time when “it was inconceivable to elaborate policies without taking into account global warming, the energy crisis, or the protection of the environment.”

MID’s goal was to promote renewable energy from the country’s natural resources—sun, wind, and waves—and to raise awareness among Mauritians about environmental protection to pass on “a clean and durable island to future generations.”

Call for Food Self-Sufficiency and CIEL’s Impact

In his address, the Prime Minister advocated for a reinforcement of food self-sufficiency through sustainable agriculture less reliant on chemical products.

He asserted that “The capacity of farmers must be consolidated so that they develop new approaches,” adding, “There are no limits to what we can accomplish together. We can build a more prosperous, resilient and inclusive Mauritius for the generations to come.”

Mr. Ramgoolam also credited the CIEL group’s leadership in strategic sectors with having “a profound impact on the country’s economic growth.”

Agrihood Concept Details

Speaking on behalf of the developers, Jean-Noël Wong, CEO of CIEL Properties, explained that the Agrihood concept is the result of years of collaborative planning focused on a vision: creating an integrated, sustainable, low-density destination that combines agriculture, natural heritage conservation, and ecotourism.

Guillaume Dalais, Group Chief Executive of the CIEL group, stated that Ferney is more than just land or agriculture; it “illustrates our attachment to the preservation of natural heritage and our desire to contribute to regional development while respecting its natural, social and historical assets.”

The project, which sits on former sugarcane land, initiates a sustainable and harmonious transformation while fully preserving the protected zone of the Ferney Valley’s endemic forest. The Agrihood itself will cover just 6% of the 3,000-hectare estate.

The concept is structured around three main pillars: promoting a healthy and serene lifestyle, fostering harmony between humans and nature, and valuing local produce by supporting regional inclusion and empowerment.

Concrete features of the innovative development include an agro-ecology centre, low-density agro-residential plots based on chemical-free cultivation, and eco-lodges seamlessly integrated into the environment.

Source: Defi Media