The Agricultural Research and Extension Unit (AREU) arose out of the Directorate of Agricultural Research and Extension (DARE) which was established in 1994 within the Ministry of Agriculture to facilitate Government's goals of improving the productivity of the farming community and diversifying the production base. It was given responsibility to conduct research in non-sugar crops and livestock, and to provide extension services to all farmers in Mauritius including its outer islands.
Since July 1995 the AREU has functioned within the Food and Agricultural Research Council (FARC), a parastatal organisation operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This position has been consolidated by the enactment of the Food and Agricultural Research Council Act, 1997 which set up AREU as a unit of FARC.
The AREU’s management team comprises the Director (who is also the Accounting Officer) supported presently by a Deputy Director and three Assistant Directors in the departments of Crop Research, Livestock Research and Extension and Training.