In a major step towards enhancing agriculture, food and nutrition security in the Indian Ocean region, members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) touched down in Port-Louis, Mauritius, to lead an important regional workshop. The event, held on 30–31 May 2024, is a cornerstone of FAO’s ambitious project STAT SANOI – Establishment of a network of information systems on agriculture and food and nutrition security in the Indian Ocean islands (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles). The workshop brought together key stakeholders to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Funded by the European Union and set to run until March 2025, STAT SANOI aims to implement four national information systems in Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. These systems will collect and produce data and information on food and nutrition security. Additionally, a regional platform will support these national systems by ensuring the identification, collection, and production of harmonized data and information on food security.

Another of the project's key outcomes is to enhance information coordination and improve national capacities for the quantitative analysis of food and nutrition security data. FAO’s Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) is playing a critical role by providing technical support to the project.

Establishing a regional platform requires consultation and interaction among the countries involved in the project. The workshop in Port-Louis was designed to facilitate exchanges among stakeholders on best practices on information and data management for agriculture, food and nutrition security.

Key participants included representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Statistics, Health, and Nutrition of the four countries, alongside the STAT SANOI technical team and FAO's team in charge of supporting the project in the four countries.

During the two-day workshop, participants had the opportunity to interact with national stakeholders in Mauritius, including Statistics Mauritius and the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI). These sessions included presentations and discussions centered on identifying national indicators for inclusion in the platforms, with a focus on data disaggregation and visualization techniques. They also allowed for knowledge sharing on data collection, processing, and information management.

Following the workshop, Ahmed Said Ibrahima, STAT SANOI National Coordinator from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment, Tourism and Handicrafts of Comoros shared his thoughts on the experience, stating that “The mission to Mauritius was an enriching and collaborative experience, focusing on the sharing of essential agricultural statistical information and meaningful learning visits. Thanks to close collaboration with our Mauritian colleagues and partners, we were able to gain valuable knowledge and build capacity in the field of agricultural statistics.”

At the regional level, the workshop served as a networking platform for stakeholders expected to maintain the platforms post-project completion.

Concluding with a clear plan for the future, the successful workshop marks a significant milestone for STAT SANOI. With continued effort and commitment, the project is set to transform the way these countries manage and use and visualize crucial information on agriculture, food security and nutrition, paving the way for a brighter future in the region.