Muguga (Genetic Resource Institute)
Centre Location : Nairobi
Muguga (Genetic Resource Institute)
Centre Location : Nairobi
The Genetic Resources Research Institute (GeRRI), under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act of 2013 was elevated to a semi-autonomous research Institute. It takes over from the former National Genebank of Kenya (NGBK) which became operational in July 1988. The institute is responsible for conserving plant genetic resources, animal and microbial genetic resources. Genetic resources are essential basic building blocks utilized in research to develop improved technologies for enhanced agricultural production. Their effective conservation and use is therefore a critical role in food security assurance, agricultural resilience and economic growth.
The existing facility has a capacity of 150 m3 in two storage cell of 75 m3 each. One storage cell runs at -20oC while the other runs at 5oC. Currently the Genebank has over 45,000 accessions belonging to over 2,000 crop species of mainly their landraces and their wild relatives acquired through donations and field collection expeditions from various parts of the country.
KALRO Msabaha
Centre Location : Malindi
Kenya Agricultural Research and Livestock Organisation (KALRO), research centre,Msabaha in coastal lowlands(CL) of Kenya
Mtwapa (Industrial Crops Research Institute)
Centre Location : Mtwapa
The Industrial Crops Research Institute was created by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act of 2013 and is headquartered in Mtwapa in Kilifi County. Agricultural research in coastal Kenya dates back to 1957, when research on fruits (mainly citrus) was started at Matuga in Kwale County under the Ministry of Agriculture. In 1962, research was extended to Mtwapa mainly focusing on tree crops (coconut) research under the Coast Agricultural Research Station (CARS). In 1989 the Centre was renamed the Regional Research Centre Mtwapa under the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI).
The Institute will cater for the main industrial crops except tea, coffee and sugar. These include cotton, sunflower, pyrethrum, barley, tobacco, sisal, coconut, cashew and bixa. Other industrial crops are kenaf, safflower, soybean and castor oil. Industrial crops provide a significant source of income to many people and are recognized as important in the attainment of the country's Vision 2030 and the national industrialization strategy.
The current challenges along the industrial crops value chains are low productivity, aged orchards, high infestation of pests and diseases and limited value addition due to lack of skills in processing and packaging. In addition, producers face marketing difficulties due to undeveloped marketing chains thus limiting the exploitation of the crops. For example, the current monetary value of coconut and coconut products is KES 3.2 billion, which is only 25% of the estimated potential of KES 13 billion. It is expected that the Institute will undertake research to address these challenges to increase productivity and quality of the products.