SIAH Celebrates Seychelles’ 50th Independence Day at the Jubilee Expo
The Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH) was proud to participate in the national celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of Seychelles’ Independence — Lendepandans Sesel. Under the theme of unity and national pride, SIAH set up a vibrant stand at the Jubilee Expo, giving the public a unique opportunity to discover what the institute has to offer as Seychelles’ leading agriculture school.
Introducing SIAH to the Public
Staff and students — recognisable in their distinctive green and yellow SIAH t-shirts bearing the 50th Independence commemorative logo — welcomed hundreds of visitors throughout the event. The team engaged enthusiastically with attendees, explaining SIAH’s vision as a Professional Centre of Choice and its mission to deliver competency-based training and lifelong learning in agriculture, ornamental and landscape horticulture, and related fields.
Display banners highlighting SIAH’s journey — “The Past: Remaining in Memory, Impossible to Forget” and “The Present: Marking the Beginning of a Brand-New Era” — drew curious visitors who stopped to learn more about the institute’s rich history and its exciting future.
A Showcase of Natural Produce and Handcrafted Products
One of the highlights of SIAH’s participation was a well-stocked stall featuring a range of locally grown produce and artisan products made from natural ingredients. Visitors were able to purchase:
- Fresh vegetables and fruits — including bunches of locally grown green bananas (plantains), freshly harvested and brought straight from SIAH’s agricultural plots.
- Handmade jams and preserves — a colourful selection of jars including Star Fruit Jam, Tomato Jam, and Vegetable Pickle, all crafted with natural ingredients.
- Nougat Bannann (Banana Nougat) — a traditional Seychellois treat made from coconut and banana, packaged in branded containers and gift boxes labelled “hand made”.
- Nougat Koko Fannen (Coconut Nougat) — another beloved local confection, beautifully presented in windowed gift boxes.
- Fresh fruit juices — bottled natural juices including Lemon Juice, Bigarade (bitter orange) Juice, and Passion Fruit Juice, prepared fresh for the event.
- Ornamental plants and seedlings — a variety of decorative flowering plants, succulents, and young trees in grow bags, attracting gardening enthusiasts looking to bring a piece of nature home.
Engaging with the Community
The SIAH stand attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the event. Shoppers eagerly browsed the fresh produce on offer, with the green bananas and packaged food products proving especially popular. SIAH staff were on hand to assist customers, answer questions, and share information about how these products are cultivated and prepared as part of the institute’s training programmes.
The expo provided an excellent platform for SIAH to connect directly with the Seychellois community, demonstrate the practical skills students develop through their studies, and reinforce the institute’s role in supporting the country’s food and nutrition security.
Looking Ahead
SIAH’s participation in the 50th Independence Jubilee Expo was a proud moment for the entire institute — a celebration not just of Seychelles’ independence, but of the hard work, dedication, and talent of SIAH’s staff and students. The event underlined the institute’s commitment to serving the nation and contributing to a sustainable agricultural future for Seychelles.
We look forward to continuing to grow and innovate as we mark this milestone anniversary, and we thank all who visited our stand and showed their support.
Our Story: Past, Present & Future
At the Jubilee Expo, SIAH showcased its journey through three specially designed pull-up banners — honouring where we came from, celebrating what we have achieved, and envisioning the exciting road ahead.