Msabaha

Overview of the Centre (About us):

Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research organization– Msabaha is a Dairy Research Centre under the Dairy Research Institute (DRI) which has its headquarters in Naivasha. (KALRO-Msabaha) is situated 12 Km South West of Malindi town along the Malindi – Mombasa Highway (3 16’S, 40 03’E). It is 9 km from the Indian Ocean at an altitude of 15 m above sea level and is in Coastal lowland zone four (CL4).

The mandate of the Centre is to conduct basic, applied and adaptive research with the objective of developing technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs) that will enhance dairy productivity, improving quality of life, enhanced equity and wealth creation.  This is in line with the Kenya Vision 2030 which envisages an agricultural sector that is “innovative, commercially oriented and modern”. DRC activities are streamlined to the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) of the national Government and in line with the KALRO Strategic Plan. The Centre creates linkages with relevant local and international organizations in capacity building and demand-oriented research.

Centre Structure

The Centre Director (CD) stationed at Msabaha oversees implementation of programmes with the support from Technical and administration staff and the Centre. The centre Director reports the progress to the Institute Director stationed at Dairy Research Institute Naivasha.

Centre operations are carried out through the various research and administrative sections established.

Research Areas

The Centre has the following broad objectives:

  1. a) To generate and promote technologies, innovations and management practices for demand-driven dairy product value chain.
  2. b) To develop and promote markets and marketing strategies for dairy product value chain.
  3. c) To facilitate and advocate policy options for enhancing demand-driven dairy product value-chain.
  4. d) To strengthen the capacity for implementing dairy product value chain research.
  5. e) To enhance the availability of knowledge, information and technologies on dairy product value chain research.

Core Functions

  1. Research and Development:

Research and development thematic areas are; dairy genetic improvement; pasture and fodder improvement; feeds and nutrition; natural resource management; socio-economics and policy development; animal health; product development and post-harvest management; knowledge management, outreach and partnerships.

Dairy Genetic Improvement

The research thrusts in this thematic area include:

Dairy genetic improvement through Assisted Reproductive Techniques, to enhance dairy germplasm development, multiplication and distribution to farmers in Kenya. The Centre maintains a dairy herd which is composed of two breeds; the pure Jerseys and crosses (Friesian/Sahiwal and Friesian /Ayrshire crosses). The Jersey breed is popular at the coastal region. It is small in size, consumes little amount of feed, have shorter calving intervals and minimal calving problems. On average they have a potential to produce 12 litres of milk per cow per day.

Friesian /Sahiwal crosses

The crosses (Friesian/Sahiwal and Friesian /Ayrshire crosses) possess traits from the Friesian, Sahiwal and Ayrshire breeds. They are big in size compared to the Jerseys. Their feed conversion rates are high and produces more milk compared to the Jerseys.

Pasture and Fodder Improvement

Research on pasture and fodder covers breeding, agronomy, pest and disease management and germplasm conservation. Research thrusts include:

  1. Development and validation of climate smart technologies in breeding and multiplication of pasture and fodder varieties suitable for ASAL areas
  2. Development of good agricultural practices in agronomy, harvesting and preservation, and utilization of pastures and fodder in semi-arid environments
  3. Novel technologies for control of pests and diseases in pasture and fodder production

   

      Bracharia                                                                         Napier                                                         Range grasses

   

             Clitoria Legume                                                      Cassava                                  Sweetpotato for forage

Natural Resource Management

This thematic area carries out research in nutrient recycling, waste management, animal welfare and behavior, natural resource management and climate change. Thrusts include:

  1. Analysis of Green House Gas (GHG) emission under intensive smallholder dairy production system for input into the national GHG inventory
  2. Measuring the carbon footprint of dairy products and investigation of positive and negative impacts of dairy production on the environment
  3. Research on low GHG emission manure management technologies

Animal Health

This thematic area supports the core value chains through the development of TIMPs on livestock disease management for improved productivity and quality of animal products. The research thrust include:

  1. Developing of appropriate TIMPs to reduce incidences and effects of animal diseases and other health issues affecting the dairy sector.
  2. Implementation One Health Approach (OHA) to ensure protection of public, animal and environmental health.
  3. Sustaining dairy farmer livelihoods by ensuring the supply of quality and hygienic animal products for trade and household consumption.

Multiplication of fruit tree seedlings

KALRO Msabaha has an active fruit seedling Nursery that provides demanded seedlings by the farming community. Production of fruit trees seedlings, pasture and legumes planting materials serves farmers from Kilifi,, Tanariver and Lamu Counties

Seedlings available include: Mango , Cashew, Citrus, Guava, Custard apple, Tamarind, Passion, Pawpaw, Casuarina ,Moringa, Aborea,, Bixa and Tissue culture banana

Tree crops Nursery

Knowledge Management, Outreach and Partnerships

This theme includes:

  1. Strengthening collaboration and partnerships with organizations, firms and institutions geared towards promotion of science, technology and innovations
  2. Local, national and international visits, students’ attachments and corporate communications
  3. Developing strategies of strengthening livestock and technology innovation and information exchange platforms (agricultural shows, demos, field days, FFS).
  4. Information packaging, dissemination, publications, ICTs, websites, blogs, conferencing and seminars.

Non-Ruminant Research programme

 Major activities in indigenous chicken and pig breeding. 

 The thrust areas are in:

  1. Multiplication and distribution
  2. Farmer training on best practices

II. Dissemination of Research Outputs

Field trials and demonstrations; Field days, Shows and exhibitions; Information sharing through digital and electronic platforms; scientific conferences and symposia; print materials.









Participation in field days and shows

  1. Capacity Building:

The institute provides capacity building to stakeholders through:

  1. Training of farmer groups on identified needs for best agricultural practices
  2. Training of extension staff in dairy and poultry
  3. Industrial attachment
  4. Study tours for farmers and students
  1. Policy Support:

Some of the recent undertakings by the Institute are:

  1. Review of Intellectual Property Policy 2019
  2. Review for Policies for National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), 2021
  3. Livestock (Animal Feeds) Regulations 2023
  4. The Livestock (Poultry Industry) Regulations 2023
  5. Livestock (Breeding) Regulations 2023

Achievements and Impact

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

  1. Growth of the dairy industry through availing technologies, innovations and management practices. For instance, zero grazing design and practice.
  2. Maintance and utilization  high quality pasture and fodder varieties targeting smallholder dairy farms, leading to increased productivity
  3. Multiplication and dissemination of the KALRO chicken for improved egg and meat production.
  4. Multiplication of high quality planting materials for fruit trees

Partnerships and Collaborations

Our partners and clients includes:

  1. Individual farmers and farmer groups
  2. Farmer cooperatives
  3. Academic institutions such as universities, colleges and schools
  4. Private sector firms
  5. International Organizations
  6. Non-Governmental Organizations
  7. Government Ministries
  8. County Governments

Future Direction include;

  1. Enhanced Research: Focusing on cutting-edge research to address emerging agricultural challenges.
  2. Digital Agriculture: Leveraging digital technologies for precision farming and data-driven decision-making.
  3. Sustainable Practices: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term productivity.
  4. Youth and Women Empowerment: Engaging youth and women in agricultural research and development activities.

Contact Information

The Centre Director
Dairy Research Centre – Msabaha
Physical Address:  Mombasa – Malindi Road
Postal  Address:         344-80200 Malindi
Website: http://www.kalro.org/
Email: Kalro.msabaha@kalro.org
Official Phone: 254103411608