The national blueprint Vision 2030 recognizes the role of research in technology generation and the creation of new knowledge, all of which are vital to national development. Vision 2030 also places great importance on value addition in agriculture and livestock as a means of raising rural household incomes, as captured by the sector’s driving strategy, the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy 2010-2020. In implementing the second medium-term plan, the Kenya government reformed the national agricultural research system by creating the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Its formation was aimed at restructuring agricultural and livestock research into a dynamic, innovative, responsive, and well-coordinated system driven by a common vision and goal. KALRO is a corporate body created under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act of 2013 to establish a suitable legal and institutional framework for the coordination of agricultural research in Kenya with the following goals:
To encourage, streamline, coordinate, and regulate crop, livestock, genetic resources, and biotechnology research in Kenya.
-To expedite equitable access to research information, resources, and technology and promote the application of research findings and technology in the field of agriculture.
While striving to fulfill the stated goals, KALRO will be obliged to:
- Formulate policy and make policy recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary on agricultural research.
- Prioritize areas for, and coordinate, agricultural research in Kenya in line with the national policy on agriculture.
- Determine and advise the government on the resource requirements for agricultural research in Kenya, both at the national and county level.
- Regulate, monitor, and ensure that all agricultural research undertaken by research institutes and other institutions or individuals undertaking agricultural research is consistent with the national priorities specified in the relevant policy documents.
- Establish and exercise control over the research institutes, committees, and research centers established under this Act.
- Formulate or approve medium and long-term research plans, strategies, and budgets of research institutes, committees, and organizations established under this Act.
- We provide grants to research institutes and people desirous of carrying out research and training programs that are consistent with the national research priorities and plans of the organization.
- Support and promote training and capacity-building agricultural research.
- To promote the dissemination and application of research findings in the field of agriculture and the establishment of a science park.
- Liaise with and ensure the coordination of institutions, agencies, and people involved in agricultural research.
- Establish platforms to share research information, advance research and technology transfer, and dissemination information relating to advancements made in agricultural research.
- Ensure the continuance of performance improvement in the field of agricultural research.
- Perform any other duties that may be delegated to it by this Act or any other written law. For more information on KALRO, please refer to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act No. 17 of 2013.