Research Areas
Conservation and research activities at the Genebank are organized into 4 operational units namely:-

1. Germplasm exploration and collection – This unit is responsible for the acquisition of diverse genetic material from different sources including natural habitats, cultivated fields or markets. The unit ensures that the material is legally acquired, represents novel diversity, is of high quality and is properly documented.  Its key activities include;

1. Collection gap analysis – this involves identifying missing taxa and those whose diversity is underrepresented in the existing collection.
2. Setting collection priorities in terms of target area and target taxa
3. Planning exploration and collection expeditions
4. Undertaking the planned field expeditions

2. Seed Science, technology and conservation – This is an integral section in genebanking as it manages the core genebank operations. The unit is responsible for receiving, processing and banking of seed materials arriving from donations, field collections or regeneration/ multiplication. It ensures that the germplasm collection is secure and seed quality is maintained as this is the hallmark of good genebank management. To achieve this, the unit performs the following functions:-

1. Germplasm registration
2. Seed processing which involves seed extraction and cleaning to ensure optimal physical seed quality.
3. Seed drying to appropriate moisture levels, moisture content determination and monitoring.
4. Seed viability determination and monitoring.
5. Undertaking seed science research to address various technical constraints to seed conservation. This includes developing and refining seed germination and dormancy breaking techniques as well as studying seed storage behaviour.
6. Seed packaging and storage under hermetic and appropriate temperature conditions
7. Safety backup of conserved materials to safe guard them from natural disasters or other unforeseen events
8. Germplasm distribution for use and inventory monitoring (in liaison with the documentation section).

3. Germplasm regeneration, characterization, evaluation and multiplication – Materials conserved in the genebank undergo aging albeit slowly leading to decline in seed viability. Furthermore, due to distribution for utilization in research, breeding and direct use by farmers, seed samples get depleted. The role of this unit include:

1. Genetic diversity assessment – This involves analysing and documenting the genetic variation available in the conserved germplasm and its value in crop improvement and research.  This is done through characterization and evaluation and involves the use of both morphological and molecular tools.
2. Replenishing seeds that have been depleted through germplasm distribution
3. Seed rejuvenation in order to get fresh seed samples with high seed viability

4. Documentation and information management – Effective documentation and information management (DIM) is essential to maintaining the value of the collections and enhance their access. The unit is the custodian of all data generated from the other units. The critical role the unit plays in promoting biodiversity conservation, agricultural development and scientific research include:

1. Record keeping and inventory management by ensuring that the genebank has a complete and accurate inventory of its genetic resources.
2. Metadata management and standardization to ensure that data is consistent and comparable across different samples thus facilitating data analysis and sharing.
3. Information dissemination by sharing information about the gene bank’s collections to researchers, policy makers and the public. This fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, breeders and farmers.
4. Facilitating germplasm distribution in liaison with conservation section.
5. Intellectual property management to ensure that the gene bank complies with the relevant laws and regulations regarding the use and distribution of genetic material.
6. Facilitating fair and equitable access to the gene bank’s collections through the access and benefit sharing structures set up by the government of Kenya.

5. Germplasm user engagement – this is an emerging concept that is driven by the need to ensure that there is greater partnership and engagement between the genebank and germplasm users, particularly the farmers.  Over the years, linkages between the genebank and farmers has been poor leading to poor utilization of conserved genetic resources. Developing stronger and structured linkages with farmers is allowing farmers to select their preferred genotypes thus ensuring greater use of the collection.

Core Functions

1. Research and Development:

The institute provides useful genetic material to breeders to develop new varieties with improved traits. GeRRI also supports genetic research by collaborate with scientists to analyse and understand the genetic value of the conserved genetic resources.

2. Capacity Building:

GeRRI often organises stakeholder meetings and training workshops to train and raise awareness amongst researchers, farmers and students on the value and importance of genetic resources, role of the genebank in seed conservation and its operations. Staff exchange programmes have also been organized between GeRRI and other organizations, particularly the international genebanks. These have been aimed at enhancing the technical capacity of GeRRI to meet international conservation standards. Policy Support:

GeRRI has played a big role in advocating for policies that support the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources both locally and internationally. This include providing technical expertise during various national policy making initiatives.  Some key policy frameworks that GeRRI has actively participated include;

a) National policies: Access and benefit sharing regulations 2006, National biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), review of the Seeds and Plant varieties Act 2016 and review of the National Seed Policy

b) International policies: the Conservation on Biological Diversity (CBD), Nagoya protocol and International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for food and agriculture (ITPGRFA)

The Institute collaborates with various national and international organizations, including:

1. a) National partners
2. National Museums of Kenya (NMK)
3. Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
4. Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS)
5. Kenya Forest Service (KFS)
6. National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA)
7. Universities
8. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS)

b) International partners

1. The Crop Trust
2. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, UK (RBG)
3. Alliance of CIAT and Bioversity International
4. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The Research Institute has made significant contributions to Kenya’s agricultural sector, including:

1. GeRRI has to date amassed close to 53,000 accessions comprising about 1800 plant species. This is an invaluable genetic diversity resource for breeding well-adapted, resilient varieties for improved crop productivity and enhanced food security. Among this collections are over 10 plant species which are new to science and conservation, with some of them being wild crop relatives of tomato and African leafy vegetables that are key to food nutrition and security. 2. Since 2019, the institute has distributed 894 samples to research and breeding programs playing a big role in providing raw materials for developing improved varieties. This germplasm has been vital in the generation of improved crop varieties such as the commonly promoted medium duration pigeon pea variety known as Mituke.
2. GeRRI is the global repository of sesame and a duplicate repository of African sorghum, millets and pigeon peas
3. Between 2021and 2023, GeRRI has regenerated 4,123 accessions of cowpeas, mung beans, pigeon peas, sorghum, finger millet and pearl millet. This is a step geared towards facilitating access to quality germplasm.
4. To understand the genetic value of the materials conserved GeRRI has done diversity assessment of various crops such as pulses, sorghum, millets and various grass species. Consequently, five characterization datasets of sorghum and finger millet have been published on Genesys website and these are expected to facilitate easy access and utilization of GeRRI materials.
5. GeRRI has worked with more than 500 sorghum farmers in Busia and Siaya Counties to enhance the sorghum and finger millet varietal diversity available to them. Through this initiative, a total of 50 farmer preferred accessions were disseminated to the farmers through seed kits. Lost varieties of sorghum were also reintroduced back into the farming systems.
6. As a commitment to safeguard its conserved germplasm from natural disasters and other unforeseen catastrophes, GeRRI has safely duplicated 3,850 accessions to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault by the year 2024.
7. GeRRI has remained committed to the Global System of PGR conservation. Though this commitment, GeRRI has continued to make is germplasm accessible internationally. It has recently provided close to 1 tonne of forage seed for use in restoring degraded habitats in the Sahel region under the African Great Green Wall initiative spearheaded by FAO.

1. Germination and viability testing
2. Provide professional advice on aspects of genetic resources conservation
3. Training farmers on post-harvest seed handling and storage
4. Provide diverse plant genetic resources and their associated data and information

Contact Information

Physical Address: KALRO Muguga
Postal Address: P.O. Box 781 – 00902 Kikuyu     
Website:
Email: director.grri@kalro.org

Official Phone: