Adaptive Research Programme

Abstract

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute - Mtwapa (KARl Mtwapa) is situated 20 km north of Mombasa in Kilifi district, in coastal lowland zone three (CL3, coconut-cassava zone). The rainfall in the coastal region is bimodal with the long rains in March to June and the short rains in October to December. The annual rainfall is highest in CL2, which receives 1400 mm. However, this covers only a small part of Kwale district (Ramisi). Mtwapa which is in CL3 has an annual rainfall average of 1200 mm. However, 2007 had exceptionally high rainfall of 1800 mm much of which was received in April (229 mm) and May (803 mm) The mean temperature ranges from a minimum of 24-27°C in May-July to a maximum of 30-32°C during January to April. The climate becomes drier moving inland from the ocean and from South to North. KARl Mtwapa is an adaptive research centre addressing agricultural constraints in farming specific to the agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions of coastal lowland Kenya. The Centre also conducts strategic research for improvement of maize, cassava, tree crops and aspects of natural resource management specific for the mandate region. The priority enterprises for the region in order of priority are: vegetables, dairy, coconut, maize, cashew, cassava, fruits, poultry, small ruminants, sorghum and millets and sweet potato. The mandate Districts of the Centre increased from the original six to ten to include: Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Malindi, Lamu and (new ones Tana delta, Kaloleni, Msambweni, Kilindini and Kinango). The mandate districts cover the same area of about 66,368 km2 . The region is food deficient and farmers occasionally receive food aid. The region's poverty level is 69.7% (Kenya Facts and figures, 2007).