Project overview
The Zero Km initiative, launched in September 2022 by Agrïa, the Real Estate & Agri-Business segment of the Rogers Group, is a training programme aimed at raising awareness among people from the surrounding region about sustainable agricultural practices while ensuring the development of regional entrepreneurship, inclusion, empowerment, and job creation. The initiative favours short-circuit supply.
Sponsored by the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of Heritage Villas Valriche, this initiative was conducted in partnership with the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture, the Robert Antoine Training Center (RTC), and FORMA'TERRA from Reunion Island.
The first edition of the Zero Km initiative saw the participation of 18 local agricultural entrepreneurs who had the opportunity to follow 114 hours of training. During the training, the participants were allocated a piece of land by Agria to cultivate their crops and sold their produce to Heritage Resorts, located on the Bel Ombre development. The cheques were remitted during the certificate ceremony, which took place in March 2023.
A collaboration charter has been established with Agrïa, which will provide plots of land for their agri-entrepreneurship for cultivation. The agricultural entrepreneurs must comply with sustainable farming conditions and plan their crops based on the demand from Heritage Resorts hotels. Agrïa will continue to support participants in coordinating product sales with the hotels and providing technical assistance, if necessary.
Our strategy:
At Rogers, we are committed to making a meaningful change in the world. The Zero Km program, undertaken by Agrïa, is an initiative that aligns with the Group’s strategy to promote inclusive development while addressing environmental challenges.
Through the program's agro-entrepreneurship training, locals are empowered, and economic opportunities are created, reducing social and economic inequality. This approach also supports sustainable economic growth while preserving the environment.
In addition, the program provides clients from Heritage Hotels access to fresh, pesticide-free produce, promoting their health and well-being.
Tracking progress:
18 local agri-entrepreneurs have successfully completed the first edition of this professional training programme in Sustainable Tropical Agriculture between September 2022 and March 2023.
During this 6-month programme, 16 varieties of fresh vegetables, equivalent to 226 kg, were produced by the agri-entrepreneurs and sold to Heritage Resorts hotels located in Bel Ombre.
