Brief on the organisation
The Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) is a parastatal organisation operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security. It has the responsibility to conduct adapted research in non-sugar crops, livestock and agroforestry and to provide an extension service to farmers in Mauritius and its outer Islands. FAREI’s vision is to support and implement priority Research, Development and Training (RDT) programmes for food security and to enhance competitiveness, sustainability and stakeholder equity across the value chain in line with its mission to help steer and promote the sustainable development of the National Agri-food System through the efficient and effective application of RDT. The key areas of research focussing on enhancing crop and livestock productivity, climate resilience and production of safe food are: germplasm evaluation and crop variety development; integrated pest and disease management (IPDM); novel technologies and climate smart agriculture; sustainable crop and livestock production systems, feeds and fodder development, post-harvest management and agroprocessing. In this respect new varieties/crops have been released, water and energy saving irrigation technologies and IPDM and livestock feeding practices have been recommended, inter alia. Research is carried out within a participatory framework with stakeholders in response to national requirements to improve farm productivity and income. The FAREI also partner with other local institutions such as Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture and University of Mauritius and international organisation such as CIRAD.
