KARI Katumani Research Centre Annual Report 2003

Abstract

KARl Katumani Research Centre (or simply Katumani, as it is popularly known) has a dual mandate for Adaptive Research Programme (ARP) and Research and Development Programme (R&D). Under ARP, Katumani is responsible for developing and disseminating technologies for dryland farming in the five districts of Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Mwingi, and Taita Taveta. These five districts have a total land area of 6.2 million hectares, out of which 3.9 million hectares are arable/agricultural land. The area comprises 492,000 farm households. The 1999 national census recorded a human population,of 2.7 million in the region. Some 80% of this region is characterised by low and erratic rainfall, high temperatures, and poor soils of low fertility and fragile/weak physical structures. Soil surface crusting under rainfall impact is prevalent; runoff and erosion losses are high, leading to poor crop stands and low yields in most farmers' fields. Seasonal crop failures are frequent. Research work in Katumani is managed through 18 programmes, under which specific research agenda are formulated and carried out. I wish to acknowledge a number of international, regional, and local institutions that collaborate with Katumani scientists in their research efforts. Key among these are CIMMYT, ICRISAT, ASARECA, CIAT, CIP, IITA, ICRAF, ICIPE, ILRI, University of Nairobi, JKUAT, Egerton University, and Moi University. Other collaborators include a number of local and international NGOs, farmers, and farmer groups. This 2003 report is a result of work done jointly with these institutions, individuals and groups. We look forward to continued fruitful collaboration, in the coming years.