Authors:
Beintema, Nienke M.; Ramkissoon, Jairaj; Icochea, Olympia
Year:
2003
Publisher
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR); and Food and Agricultural Research Council (FARC)
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In contrast to many other countries in Africa the great majority of agricultural R&D in Mauritius has been funded, historically, from national sources. Sugar research, consistent with its dominant role in both agriculture and the economy, accounts for more than half the domestic agricultural research spending.
MSIRI, which is predominantly funded by a levy on sugar production, has established itself among the world-renowned centers for sugarcane research. Research focused on nonsugar crops and livestock is undertaken by AREU and five departments under MAFNR, while the role of the higher-education and private sectors in agricultural research is limited.
Given the high level of investment in sugar research, the intensity of research and research spending is high in Mauritius relative to other developing countries. Nevertheless, in line with world trends, agricultural research spending and staffing levels have decreased in the past few years with the contraction of domestic and international funding.