Kroopa Gandhi (2nd from right) and other students from the University of Mauritius and the University of Arkansas

Author: Krupa Gandhi | Majors: Supply Chain Management, Information Systems | Semester: Summer 2023

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend 8 weeks on the island nation of Mauritius. Its stunning beaches and mountains make it a favored destination for tourists. However, Mauritius faces food security issues because it relies on imported goods and vulnerability to external supply chain disruptions.

Throughout my academic journey, I’ve always had an aspiration to be able to study abroad in college. I wanted to fully immerse myself in a new culture, specifically, to gain a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives, beyond the confines of a conventional classroom. When Dr. Amy Farmer came to discuss her projects, I had to seize the chance to talk to her about this exciting opportunity. The possibility to conduct research and create my honors thesis based on that research was a powerful motivator to do one of these projects.

There is a limit to the extent of research you can find online about a small country like Mauritius, especially about food security. The articles I found had a major influence on tourism. The issue of the majority of the population being unable to afford food for themselves and their families remains unaddressed or avoided in discussions. I personally found that there was a challenge to find accurate, honest information about the country. By the time summer came around, I was ready to experience the country in person.

The research we needed to gather was about food security, more specifically if people could afford food for themselves and their families. We decided to conduct surveys all over the island. We randomly generated locations to conduct the survey based on the population of that specific area, then we would survey five people in that area. In total, we conducted 439 surveys all over the island of Mauritius.

During our time on the island, we worked with Dr. Roshini Brizmohun-Gopaul and the enumerators that she provided for us, all from the University of Mauritius. We would plan out the weeks on Mondays, discussing which locations we should survey and where to meet the enumerators. Since many people on the island struggled to speak English, the enumerators were there to make it easier for them to understand. They also have a better understanding of the island, so they were able to navigate it much more easily.

The survey data revealed a well-balanced distribution of the population’s food security, ranging from high food security to low food security. But this still means that half the population is food insecure, which the government will have to address. Moving forward, my focus lies in conducting an in-depth analysis to understand the underlying factors contributing to this issue of food security. I aim to explore potential solutions and identify actionable steps both the country and we, as individuals, can take to combat food insecurity, to help smaller countries like Mauritius.

For someone planning to study abroad in the near future, my advice would be to begin the process right now. Starting early can help offer a clear understanding of where they are wanting to go, allowing more time for financial planning. By preparing ahead of time, you are enabling yourself to access so much more assistance and support throughout the entire journey. Given the chance, I would love to relive the experience of the beautiful island of Mauritius!