The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Food Crops Research Centre, Njoro has the national mandate to generate technologies, knowledge and innovations that speak to farmer challenges in wheat production. KALRO has developed wheat varieties for various stresses and quality for over 85 years. About 180 wheat varieties have been released to farmers for use over this period. Through the wheat varieties, KALRO goal has been to contribute to enhanced food security as well as economic development at the farm, community, and national levels.
Wheat breeding programme goal extends to regional and global frontiers, driven by strategic partnerships (Kenya Wheat Production Handbook, 2016) and KALRO Njoro is a Centre for Excellency for Wheat, but other cereal grains and grain legumes are with trials and demos in this Centre. In addition, as a Food Crops Research Centre, KALRO Njoro accommodates demos and trials from all food crops whose mandates are located elsewhere i.e Maize Compact, Fall Army Worm (FAW), ENABLE TAAT Youth, cassava, sweet potatoes, except High Iron Bean (HIB) which is domiciled in KALRO Katumani (for Dryland Breeding). Because of these roles, the Centre was selected for TAAT II Program Activities. Maize breeding is under KALRO Kitale, and Embu, and KALRO Muguga and Kabete.