Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Annual Report 2014 - 2015

Abstract

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) was formed in 2013 by the Kenya Government through the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research (KALR) Act of 2013. In creating KALRO, the Government restructured agriculture and livestock research by merging the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK), Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF) and Coffee Research Foundation (CRF), into a dynamic, innovative, responsive and well-coordinated system driven by a common vision and mission that contributes effectively to national development, in line with the second Medium Term Plan of Kenya Vision 2030. KALRO comprises of 16 interactive and interdependent network of semi-autonomous institutes situated in different parts of the country each with specific mandates that contribute to the overall vision and mission of KALRO. As spelt out in the Act, the key organs of KALRO include a Board of Management, which is the top body of the Organization responsible for making policy recommendations to the National Government; a Secretariat, which is the executive arm; a scientific and Technical Committee, an independent advisory body to the Board; the Agricultural Research Fund, which is expected to operate as the principle funding arm; and Institutes that carry out research in commodities and value chains. During the reporting period, KALRO had an Interim Management Committee (IMC) gazetted by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on 28th February 2014, whose main task was to operationalize the KALR Act.