Seychelles to strengthen ties with Malaysia in agriculture |04 June 2025

Signing of a memorandum of agreement with Quest International University, strengthening collaboration in education, research, student exchanges and technology transfer

Seychelles to strengthen ties with Malaysia in agriculture

The Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, led a high-level delegation to Malaysia from May 10 to 13, 2025, focused on advancing cooperation in agriculture, education, technology transfer, and trade facilitation between Seychelles and Malaysian institutions.

The visit took place at the invitation of the honorary consul of Seychelles in Malaysia and Quest International University, a private university currently hosting Seychellois students in degree-level training and previously collaborating with the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture and the University of Seychelles.

The delegation began with technical site visits to the Cameron Highlands, where they observed various agricultural production systems, including large-scale commercial farms and smallholder operations.

Special attention was given to the use of hydroponic and fertigation systems, ranging from advanced commercial setups to simple, cost-effective models adaptable to Seychelles.

The team also noted the practical use of basic infrastructure achieving high productivity, offering replicable solutions for local farming communities.

At Quest International University, the team toured advanced laboratories and tissue culture facilities and engaged in meaningful discussions on expanding collaboration in biotechnology, agriculture and environmental sciences. Quest International University expressed its readiness to support Seychelles’ initiatives in horticulture and floriculture and to enhance academic training

and research exchanges.

The university also showcased its collaborations with local entrepreneurs in areas such as fish farming, sea grape cultivation, and crab production.

The visit to the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) opened up important opportunities for technology transfer and agricultural innovation. The delegation viewed advanced packaging solutions, identifying ways to improve packaging standards for Seychellois products.

Plans are underway to establish links with suppliers of packaging machinery and to organise training for local producers on affordable and effective packaging methods that can improve product quality and competitiveness both locally and for export markets.

MARDI also provided Seychelles with several new vegetable seed varieties, including tomatoes and chillies, which the department of Agriculture will soon begin testing under local conditions. If successful, these varieties are expected to strengthen national food production and resilience.

A draft agreement between MARDI and the Ministry of Agriculture is currently being finalised to facilitate the transfer of over 50 fruit varieties, including durian, to Seychelles, enhancing the availability of high-quality planting material for farmers and others interested in fruit production. The agreement will also include provisions for scientific exchanges and capacity building.

The mission concluded with the formal signing of a memorandum of agreement with Quest International University at Quest International Tower, strengthening collaboration in education, research, student exchanges, and technology transfer.

Quest International University also shared its plans to expand its facilities to accommodate a greater number of international students, including those from Seychelles, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the country’s broader

development goals.

Minister Joubert described the visit as highly productive, noting that it had laid a solid foundation for enhanced cooperation in key sectors vital to Seychelles’ economic resilience and sustainable development. We are looking forward to seeing real, practical results come out of these partnerships, which will directly support our farmers, students, and producers, the minister stated.

The delegation included Keven Nancy, principal secretary for Agriculture; Ramgie Pillay, executive director in the Minister’s Office; Roy Govindan, principal agricultural scientist; and Jean Alcindor, chairman of the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture.

The mission was facilitated with the invaluable support of Kabilan Muniandy, honorary consul of Seychelles in Malaysia, and the team extends its thanks to Nicholas Goh, chief executive of Quest International University, for his warm hospitality and commitment to advancing this partnership.

Contributed