KARI - National Agricultural Research Centre - Muguga Research Highlights 2003

Abstract

The National Agricultural Centre (NARC) Muguga is situated in Kikuyu Division, Kiambu District, Central Province at Longitude 36°34" and 36°39" East and Latitude 1º 11" 1 14" South of the Equator. It is located about 27 km west of Nairobi City and five kilometres off the Nairobi-Naivasha - Nakuru highway. The Centre is about 2095 M above sea level. It is situated in the marginal coffee zone (zone 3) and the mandate area covers zones: 1,2 and 3 covering approximately 6000km², with a population of 2.7 million (census, 1979) in Kiambu, Thika, Murang'a, Nyandarua and Maragwa Disticts and Greater Nairobi area. The soils are well-drained, extremely deep dusky red to dark reddish brown; friable and in some places with acid soils. The soils are classified as nitisols & alfisols. The centre has a total of 280 hectares mainly under pasture, forest, experimental plots, and recreation fields. About 200 hectares are available for research and commercial ventures. Currently the centre has 31research scientist of whom 10 are trained to Ph.D. level, 16 to MSc training, and 3 to B.Sc. level. The scientific staff are supported by 225 technical and supporting staff, making a total staff compliment of 216. In order to share our research agenda with stakeholders in the agricultural industry, a Centre Research Advisory Committee meeting (CRAC) was held in September, 2003. The Centre embraced fully the institutes strategic plan for 2000-2010 under objective 6 by implementing various commercialization programme activities within the year. Past and on-going support from the Government and our development partners has had a positive impact on our research and we look forward to continued support.