Mauritius | Genome Editting Landscape Portal

Pest/disease resistance, climate tolerance

Submitted by admin on February 23, 2026

Read more about Pest/disease resistance, climate tolerance

Priority Organism

Cassava

Member State

Mauritius

Socioeconomic Justification

Indigenous staples; resilient food crops for food sovereignty

GEd Potential

Medium

Existing R&D

Minimal

Actual Annual Production (tonnes)

500

Expected Annual Production (tonnes)

5000

Disease resistance (Panama disease, Black Sigatoka), longer shelf life

Submitted by admin on February 23, 2026

Read more about Disease resistance (Panama disease, Black Sigatoka), longer shelf life

Priority Organism

Banana

Member State

Mauritius

Socioeconomic Justification

Disease resistance (Panama disease, Black Sigatoka), longer shelf life Popular local fruit; reduces import reliance; key for nutrition

GEd Potential

Medium

Existing R&D

Basic (UoM & private sector)

Actual Annual Production (tonnes)

20000

Expected Annual Production (tonnes)

30000

Disease resistance, longer shelf life

Submitted by admin on February 23, 2026

Read more about Disease resistance, longer shelf life

Member State

Mauritius

Socioeconomic Justification

Important fruit for export and tourism-linked value chain

GEd Potential

Medium

Existing R&D

Some (UoM, MCIA collaboration)

Actual Annual Production (tonnes)

20000

Expected Annual Production (tonnes)

35000

Virus resistance (TYLCV), extended shelf life

Submitted by admin on February 23, 2026

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Member State

Mauritius

Socioeconomic Justification

Popular horticultural crop; post-harvest losses high; supports rural farmers

GEd Potential

High

Existing R&D

Minimal (UoM trials)

Actual Annual Production (tonnes)

7000

Expected Annual Production (tonnes)

12000

Late blight and bacterial wilt resistance , drought tolerance

Submitted by admin on February 23, 2026

Read more about Late blight and bacterial wilt resistance , drought tolerance

Priority Organism

Irish Potato

Member State

Mauritius

Socioeconomic Justification

Second most important staple; heavy imports; food sovereignty

GEd Potential

High

Existing R&D

Limited (UoM & FAREI projects)

Actual Annual Production (tonnes)

15000

Expected Annual Production (tonnes)

30000

Heat/drought tolerance, pest resistance

Submitted by admin on February 23, 2026

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Priority Organism

Maize

Member State

Mauritius

Socioeconomic Justification

Staple food; import substitution priority

GEd Potential

High

Existing R&D

Limited (UoM small trials)

Actual Annual Production (tonnes)

1000

Expected Annual Production (tonnes)

20000

Drought tolerance, disease resistance, higher sugar recovery

Submitted by admin on February 23, 2026

Read more about Drought tolerance, disease resistance, higher sugar recovery

Member State

Mauritius

Socioeconomic Justification

Backbone of Mauritian agro-economy; major export crop; jobs

GEd Potential

High

Existing R&D

Active (MSIRI/MCIA breeding programs)

Actual Annual Production (tonnes)

3000000

Expected Annual Production (tonnes)

4000000

Universities

University of Technology, Mauritius (UTM)

La Tour Koenig, Pointe‑aux‑Sables, Port Louis,Republic of Mauritius

+230 207 5250

Government and Agencies

Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security (MAIFS)

Levels 8 & 9, Renganaden Seeneevassen Building Corner Jules Koenig & Maillard Streets Port Louis Mauritius

+230 212 0854

Research Organizations/Institutes

Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute (MSIRI)

Moka Road, Reduit, Moka District, Mauritius

+230 454 1061