Mauripedia:Current events

From Mauripedia

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION UNIT

The Agricultural Research and Extension unit has been established since 1994 under the Ministry of Agro Industry in order to cater for the plantations and livestock research. It also provides training and services to farmers. It is a parastatal institution which employs about 600 persons. It is divided in three main groups: crop, livestock and extension services. AREU has a director, three assistant directors who look after the three parts of the organization, a finance manager and a human resource manager. It employs about 100 scientific officers, 100 technical officers and 300 general workers. AREU receives its funding from the Government in order to cover its expenditures. Funding is also made available from other organisations such as MRC and FARC to carry out projects.

AREU has stations all over Mauritius. We are found in Wooton where we have a station which carries out experiences on new varieties of vegetables, a Farmers Training School in which training is given to planters and a Resource Centre where agro processing is done. We also have offices in Reduit ( a Plant Pathology Division, an Entomology Division and a Station) ;Richelieu(a station); Curepipe (a livestock Unit); St Pierre ( Extension and Training centre); La Brasserie (a Mushroom Laboratory) ; Flacq, Mapou, Riviere des Anguilles and Plaisance (Demonstraion Centres). This facilitates interaction with farmers all over Mauritius.

We also publish Books such as Le Guide Agricole which is sold to planters. Leaflets on different categories of plantations, processing, livestock are also available. Farming News and Market Information Sheets (MIS) are sent to farmers by post regularly to help them in their business.

AREU mission will always be to find new products in order to help the agricultural and livestock sector in Mauritius.