Chapter 1: Setting the scene

Status: Successfully completed

Funded by: 59 friends via GlobalGiving Platform

Start Date: 31 Aug 2019

End Date: 27 Nov 2019

Chapter 1: Setting the scene

Between 31 August 2019 and 27 November 2019, Farmcity welcomed 150 junior youths across the Northern region of Mauritius:  La Tour Koenig, Bois Marchand, Cité La Cure, St. Croix, Triolet, Baie du Tombeau, Goodlands and Cottage. In Chapter 1, participants are first introduced to the possibilities of sustainable farming in a modern way through a tour of our Learning Farm. On their tour, they learn about the different strategies employed to farm in harmony in nature, taste some farm fresh produce, and even conduct a mini experiment to understand irrigation through capillary action. In the second half of the day, we turn the floor over to these bright, young junior youths! They are each given 2 scenarios to role play - first, as Minister of Agriculture to propose ways to make agriculture attractive to youths; and then taking on a superpower to solve some of the most pressing issues facing their communities today. The depth of discussion that followed, as well as their suggestions to solve some extremely challenging problems - of drugs, of pollution, of poor health, left us wondering why we aren't involving them in our policy making process. Imagine the wonders that could be achieved if we simply gave young people a voice!

Chapter 2: Learning The Rope

Status: Ongoing

Funded by: United States Embassy of Mauritius

Start Date: 25 Nov 2019

End Date: H1 2020

Chapter 2: Learning The Ropes

Following the first session, the 150 junior youths return to the farm again, this time diving heads-in (and hands on) learning the basics of farming. As a group, they will learn how to prepare the soil, sow seeds, manage weeds, irrigate and tend to their own bed of crops on the farm. The goal is that they learn some basic gardening skills that they can easily replicate at home. In the later part of the session, the junior youths go on a scientific exploration of the world beyond what their eyes can see. With the aid of microscopes, participants examine different plant, soil and insect samples taken from the farm, discovering the hidden universe of the microscopic world. 

Chapter 2 was made possible through the Public Diplomacy Grant provided by the U.S Embassy of Mauritius.
 

Chapter 3: The Agripreneurs’ Club

Chapter 3 is a culmination of the junior youth efforts in both Chapters 1 and 2. In The Agripreneurs’ Club, they will follow a 10 week program to develop a selection of their ideas (raised in Chapter 1) into a first prototype to be tested on the ground. It is our belief (and hope) that improving their local food system, through initiative(s) that are developed by the community for the community, will pave the way for more positive changes.

Chapter 3: The Agripreneur's Club

Status: Currently Fundraising

Start Date: Planned for 2020 Q3

The Agripreneurs’ Club: Singapore Pilot

The Agripreneurs’ Club: Singapore Pilot was made possible through the generous support of the eBay Foundation’s Global Give 2019, an award that supports innovative nonprofits around the world working to promote entrepreneurship and small businesses. Farmcity is the first Mauritian social enterprise to receive an award from the eBay Foundation.

The Agripreneurs' Club: Singapore Pilot

Status: Ongoing

Funded by: The Ebay Foundation

Start Date: 31 Oct 2019