NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening agricultural research partnerships aimed at enhancing climate resilience, boosting food security, and improving livelihoods for farmers across Kenya and beyond.
The renewed commitment emerged during a courtesy visit by the CGIAR Global Leadership Team to KALRO headquarters, where discussions focused on expanding collaboration and accelerating the adoption of agricultural innovations that address emerging challenges in the sector.
The delegation was led by CGIAR Executive Managing Director Dr. Ismahane Elouafi and included the Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng. They were received by KALRO Director General Dr. Patrick Ketiem, Board Chairman Dr. Thuo Mathenge, and other senior officials.
Dr. Ketiem said partnerships between KALRO and CGIAR have already delivered significant gains in agricultural research and innovation, helping develop technologies and solutions that support farmers facing increasingly complex challenges.
He noted that climate change continues to threaten agricultural productivity and food systems, making collaboration among research institutions critical in identifying practical and scalable solutions.
“Through these collaborations, KALRO has made remarkable progress. However, climate change remains one of the greatest threats to agriculture, and we must continue developing solutions that deliver real impact to farmers,” Dr. Ketiem said.
Board Chairman Dr. Mathenge emphasized the importance of collective action in transforming agriculture and improving outcomes for farming communities.
He said meaningful benefits can only be achieved when research institutions, governments, development partners and farmers work together toward shared objectives.
“Farmers will only realise the full benefits of innovation through teamwork and sustained collaboration among all stakeholders,” he said.
Dr. Elouafi highlighted the need to move beyond research and ensure innovations reach farmers at scale. She said agricultural technologies and scientific breakthroughs must translate into tangible benefits for communities while also creating employment opportunities for young people.
“The focus must be on scaling innovation to achieve measurable outcomes that directly benefit farmers and create opportunities for youth engagement in agriculture,” she said.
The visit comes as KALRO hosts the Second KALRO Scientific Conference, a forum bringing together researchers, policymakers, development partners, and industry stakeholders to showcase emerging innovations and discuss strategies for strengthening agricultural resilience.
The conference is expected to highlight advances in climate-smart agriculture, livestock development, crop improvement and digital technologies aimed at improving productivity and sustainability.
Kenya’s agricultural sector remains a key pillar of the economy, contributing significantly to employment, food security and export earnings. However, recurring droughts, climate variability, and rising production costs continue to pose major challenges to farmers.
The strengthened KALRO-CGIAR partnership is expected to support the development and dissemination of research-driven solutions that enhance productivity, improve resilience to climate shocks, and promote sustainable agricultural growth.
