Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources, Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship, and Creative Economy
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Entrepreneurship (as it’s often abbreviated) is pivotal for Mohéli’s primarily rural economy and the stewardship of its natural resources. In the domain of Agriculture, the ministry supports farmers who cultivate staples and cash crops on Mohéli. The island is famed for its vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang (an aromatic flower used in perfumes) – this ministry provides training on improved farming techniques for these export crops, distributes quality seedlings, and helps farmers protect against plant diseases. It also works on food security by promoting the cultivation of food crops like cassava, corn, and sweet potatoes. Through its Cooperatives division, the ministry encourages farmers and fishers to form cooperatives – pooling resources for better marketing power and sharing equipment. For example, vanilla farmers’ cooperatives can collectively cure and sell vanilla with a stronger bargaining position, and fishing cooperatives might share cold storage for their catch.
On the Fisheries and Marine Resources side, the ministry oversees the sustainable use of Mohéli’s rich marine life. Mohéli’s waters are teeming with fish, and the island has a tradition of artisanal fishing. The ministry provides fishing communities with improved boats or fishing gear (like motorized boats or modern nets) to increase productivity while also enforcing regulations that prevent overfishing. Given Mohéli’s Marine Park and sensitive coral reefs, the ministry collaborates with environmental authorities to ensure marine conservation – designating certain zones as no-take breeding areas, for instance, and training fishers in sustainable practices. It also explores aquaculture (fish farming or seaweed farming) as new avenues for income.
Entrepreneurship and Creative Economy are newer but important parts of its portfolio. This involves nurturing small businesses and startups beyond traditional farming/fishing. The ministry, possibly via a Rural Entrepreneurship Program, offers micro-grants or tools to individuals (especially youth and women in villages) who start small ventures – be it a fruit drying business, a tailoring shop, or a tech initiative. The Creative Economy refers to sectors like crafts, design, music, and cultural industries. Mohéli has a rich tradition of crafts (woven mats, carved wood, handmade jewelry, etc.) and cultural expression. This ministry helps artisans and creators form networks, improve designs, and reach markets (including tourism markets and export of crafts). It might host annual Crafts and Culture Fairs to showcase Mohéli’s creative products.
