Walali Company Limited
Sustainable food production from local resources
Walali Company Limited creates a value chain for agro-processing on Rodrigues Island. Octopuses and red beans are purchased and processed locally. Contracts to be established with individual small-scale suppliers who meet sustainability criteria will ensure a secure market and guaranteed prices for these suppliers.
The retort pouch technology increases the availability of these perishable goods and reduces production and shipping costs. Adding value to bean-based products promotes organic agriculture and preservation of local food traditions.
Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Walali stimulates the local economy by promoting artisanal fishing, preservation of traditional bean production and creating local production jobs in values-based businesses.
- Providing income opportunities for the local community in the production factory and as suppliers of raw materials.
- Strengthening the Rodriguen identity by preserving the traditional cultivation of beans.
- Increasing local availability of a seasonal grocery.
- Encouraging sustainable fishing and lagoon protection by respecting octopus recovery times and relying on artisanal fishing methods.
- Tackling water scarcity by promoting rainwater harvesting among suppliers.
- Fighting climate change by using a solar water heater for the production site.
Supporting stimulation of the local economy and independence from the Mauritius main island by contracting local suppliers - 50 for octopus and 10 for beans.
Reducing shipping costs and energy needs through the introduction of the new retort pouch technology.
Partners
Walali adds value to octopus and red bean - two products entrenched in the local culture of Rodrigues Island. The locally sourced raw materials are processed and packaged in retort pouches at the local production facility and marketed in Rodrigues and Mauritius.
Walali Co. Ltd is the main enterprise that first developed the production process, and continues to procure the raw materials and process and sell the final products.
The Mauritius Research Council (MRC) assists the enterprise with funding for research related to safety and quality assurance of octopus-based products.
The University of Mauritius supplies scientific expertise to supervise the implementation of the MRC-funded research.