14. agroforestry research in kenya: an overview

14.7 KEFRI and KARI

As noted earlier, the main national research institutions involved in agroforestry research are KEFRI and KARI. Most of their research is carried out in collaboration with other organizations at the various research stations. KEFRI is, however, also conducting important research on its own, mainly at Muguga. Among these activities, the National Tree Seed Centre deserves special mention. Research is conducted at the centre and it is also the most important institution involved in seed collection and sale of tree seeds.

Beside seed research there are also species screening trials, hedgerow intercropping trials, tree-grass combination trials, multi-storey boundary planting and fodder banks at Muguga, and there are plans to conduct a nation-wide survey of farmer-managed tree propagation techniques. Collaborative research between ICRAF and KEFRI at Muguga is currently being initiated.

KEFRI collaborates with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) under the Alley Farming Network for Africa (AFNETA) and with CARE (see below).