SIAH celebrates 40th anniversary By Mandy Bertin |14 October 2023
The Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH) at Anse à la Mouche hosted an open day yesterday to mark its 40 years of existence.
The aim was to give the general public the chance to interact with SIAH staff and students and to have a better idea of what is being offered at the institute, its success stories and challenges.
A ceremony was held yesterday at the institute, and was graced by the presence of the member of the National Assembly for Baie Lazare, François Adelaide; principal secretary for agriculture, Keven Nancy; SIAH board of directors; a delegation from St Paul Agricultural College in Reunion; past directors; lecturers; students and parents.
The institute was also marking the World Food Day which falls on October 16, under the theme ‘Water is life, Water is food. Leave no one behind’.
The story of SIAH...
It all began in 1983 when the School of Agriculture was opened at Anse Boileau. A year later, it moved to the Seychelles Polytechnic campus at Anse Royale, under the Ministry of Education.
In 1999, the institute was renamed as the Farmers Training Centre (FTC) and was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources. FTC was moved to Anse à la Mouche.
The name was once again changed to the Seychelles Agricultural and Horticultural Training Centre under the portfolio of the education ministry.
In August 2015, it was constituted, received its new chapter and renamed as we know it today.
Over the four decades, the institute has been under the leadership of six directors – three of them are currently residing abroad.
The past directors who received their shields during the ceremony as a sign of recognition for their dedication and hard work as the leaders of the institute were: Jean Alcindor who was the head of the School of Agriculture from 1995-1998, and was later reappointed from 2003-2005; Mermedah Moustache, who led the school from 1999 to 2002, was not present for the ceremony so her shield was collected by Riza Moustache; and Georgie Belmont who for more than a decade took leadership of the institute and that was from 2002-2017.
During the ceremony, certificates were also presented to several members of staff from SIAH and other agencies, as well as students who took part in a three-day agroecology farming system training led by Antoine Colle from FORMATERRA Reunion.
Those present also witnessed the handing over of an agroecology garden to SIAH by Didier Ramay from the St Paul Agricultural College, with which it has a signed agreement to carry out a joint practical project with students and staff.
Agroecology is a new sustainable farming method with reduced environmental impact.
In her opening remarks, SIAH’s director, Maryanne Marie, shared the achievements of the institute across the years.
There were a variety of vegetables, delicacies, plants and other items on sale after the ceremony.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the ceremony yesterday to mark SIAH’s 40th anniversary.
