Nairobi: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has partnered with the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to establish a research centre of excellence in the country to promote crop production. The inaugural KALRO-CIMMYT Crops Research Facility, located at the Kiboko Research Station, is expected to serve as a Centre of Excellence for Crop Improvement and Capacity Building in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Kenya News Agency, the state-of-the-art research station underwent a major facelift and upgrading since its establishment three decades ago to improve efficiency in crop breeding programs. The premises will now be able to reduce intensive manual labour through the mechanization of breeding operations, better storage of valuable crop germplasm, and improved amenities for researchers and staff working at the station.
The facility has been supported by the Crops to End Hunger (CtEH) Initiative, which is a confluence of multiple international donors, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and GIZ, the German agency, to the tune of USD 2.1 million. It will serve breeding programs of multiple crops.
Speaking during the launch of the facility, Dr. Thuo Mathenge, KALRO Board chairman, said the Kiboko Research Station has long been a beacon of hope for farmers in Kenya and the Eastern African region. It has made significant milestones in crop research and related innovations, particularly in maize breeding, contributing to the development of climate-resilient maize varieties with enhanced tolerance to drought stress, improved nitrogen use efficiency, and resistance to diseases and pests.
A landmark achievement at Kiboko was the establishment of the Maize Doubled Haploid Facility in 2013, which has revolutionized maize breeding for KALRO, CIMMYT, national partners, and seed companies across Sub-Saharan Africa. The station’s advanced screening capabilities for Fall Armyworm have led to the release of three tolerant maize hybrids, benefiting farmers in several African countries.
The enhancements made at the facility will significantly boost capacity to address pressing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including climate change, declining soil fertility, pest and disease pressures, and limited access to quality seed. Dr. Mathenge emphasized that the facility represents a shared commitment to building a resilient agricultural sector that empowers smallholders, safeguards food security, and drives economic growth.
Dr. Prasanna Boddupalli, CIMMYT Director, noted the longstanding partnership with KALRO, which extends for more than three decades. The partnership has impacted Kenya’s agriculture through breeding and releasing several improved varieties of maize with drought tolerance, disease resistance, and insect resistance.
KALRO Director General, Eliud Kireger, highlighted the importance of investing in science and innovation to build a resilient agricultural sector. The transformative project includes modern office and conference facilities, advanced seed processing and storage facilities, cold storage units for long-term germplasm storage, a machine maintenance facility, a drip irrigation system for efficient water use, and upgraded electrical infrastructure.
