Modern sugar cane hybrids are complex aneuploids with varying number of chromosomes and stem from a limited genepool. A basic interspecific/intergeneric base broadening programme, although a lengthy and resourceful process, is maintained in Mauritius to generate new parents which could enhance productivity levels. The programme adds another five years to the already lengthy selection process, which starting from 'commercial' seedlings, extends from 10 to 13 years. Furthermore, pre-breeding in sugar cane meets with various barriers of which asynchronous flowering and genetic complexity are the most important ones. It is crucial that a proper choice of parents is made and strategies developed for identifying the best crosses to produce commercially acceptable varieties. The evaluation of parents per se and their breeding potential is usually integrated in the current crossing and selection programme and appropriate IT technology assists in their retrieval and use. This paper reviews the policy, problems and prospects in germplasm enhancement relevant to the Mauritian sugar cane breeding programme.