About the Institute
The Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute (AMRI) is one of the 16 research institutes under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) that was established in November 2015.

Despite the importance of Agriculture in Kenya there is generally low levels of mechanization both in livestock and crop production. In Kenya 50 % of the land preparation depends on human power, 20 % on animal draught power and 30 % on machines. This has been associated with low productivity and high cost of production which inevitably leads to low profitability in major agricultural enterprises. The main function of AMRI is to generate and disseminate agricultural mechanization technologies /innovations across livestock and crops value chains in Kenya.

To achieve its mandate AMRI works closely with other KALRO research institutes handling different value chains, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MoALF) through Agricultural Technology Development Centers (ATDCs) and the Agricultural Mechanization Services (AMS). Other institutions that collaborate with AMRI include Kenya Industrial Research and Development Research Institute (KIRDI), universities such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and University of Nairobi and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and development partners.

Location
The Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute is located at Katumani in Machakos County (1º 35'S and 37º 14'E), 80 km southeast of Nairobi, and 9 km south of Machakos town, along the Machakos – Wote Road at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level.

Mandate
The Institute has the national mandate to carry out research in agricultural mechanization along the livestock and crops value chains for increased productivity, commercialization and competitiveness of the agricultural sector through the following objectives to:
1.    Identify research priority areas on agricultural mechanization in collaboration with the county governments and other stakeholders;
2.    Undertake research on mechanized soil and water conservation and management;
3.    Seek research and innovation advances in mechanized agriculture for improved productivity;
4.    Promote international cooperation in agricultural mechanization research and information;
5.    Promote linkages between research, extension and farmers for effective adoption of technological packages;
6.    Develop user manuals, publications and materials on agricultural mechanization for dissemination; and
7.    Promote coordinated and regulated research and technology development for agricultural mechanization sub-sector to gain from emerging knowledge.

Contacts
Institute Director
Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute
P.O. Box 340-90100
Machakos
Telephone +254-710906600
Email: director.amri@kalro.org

Centre: Katumani;
Centre Director
P.O. Box 340 – 90100
Machakos
Email: kalro.katumani@kalro.org