Established in 1994, the Biotechnology Department has its activities focused on four main themes:
• tissue culture:
• molecular diagnostic:
• genetic engineering:
• molecular markers.:

The Irrigation Department is responsible for conducting research in irrigation and management of land resources.

In irrigation the main research themes under study are:
• Irrigation of sugar cane and associated crops
• Soil physical studies in relation to irrigation, drainage, land preparation and mechanical harvesting
• Hydrology and soil erosion

The genetic improvement of sugar cane is geared towards the development of new varieties with high cane yields, high sucrose content, resistant to the major diseases and pests, adapted to the various agro-climatic zones of the island, and suitable for harvesting at different periods of the milling season. Varieties should also demonstrate good ratooning capacity, are suitable for mechanized harvest, and also have suitable morphological attributes, high population density, good germination potential and efficient canopy cover. In the context of the new strategic plan for the sugar cane industry, increasing interest is also paid to the production of high sucrose and early-ripening varieties, to the exploitation of total biomass and to the development of high fiber varieties for electricity generation and ethanol production.

The main aim of MSIRI is to improve the efficiency of the sugar cane industry through the development and implementation of new technologies, and to assist the industry in solving technical problems.

Nowadays, consumers have become more conscious of the benefits of healthy eating. They are more and more demanding in terms of quality, especially as concern fresh food and show yet greater preference for produce that are physically appealing, free of agro-chemical residues in addition to high gustative properties. In response to the growing demand for quality fresh produce, organic and other natural farming systems are attracting increasing interest among the farming community as well as new promoters venturing in the fresh food production subsector. Government policies are also geared to steer and further promote the shift from conventional farming to environmentally sustainable and safer mode of food production by facilitating access to State Land, technical as well as financial assistance.

To facilitate access of small scale producers of organic farm products to internationally recognized organic certification systems which would enable their fresh farm products to be differentiated and formally labelled as genuine organic farm products on both domestic and foreign markets, thereby assuring them with a prime price as well as adequate 2 compensation for effort put in the production process.

Details of the Scheme A cash grant of Rs 100,000 provided to beneficiaries for funding of costs associated with certification of fresh products produced on their own organic farms and payable by claim to the certifying body as follows: • An amount representing 50% of the approved grant to be disbursed at start of the certification process; • the remaining 50% paid at time of issue of the certificate; and • Disbursement of grant shall be made directly to the certification body. The certification body shall be accredited to perform certification according to ISO 17065 and shall be member of internationally recognised organic associations such as the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Canada Organic Standards, EU Standards, or any other similar organisations.