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ARF ARIS ATIRI KAPP KASAL USAID E. Afr. agric. For. J. UPALNet-Kenya

Agricultural Biotechnology Research

Many constraints hamper profitable agricultural production in Kenya, among them inadequate availability of disease free planting materials, crop and livestock diseases, poor livestock nutrition, pests, abiotic factors such as drought, soil pH and poor plant and animal genotypes. Reducing the incidence of these factors would result in increased production while early diagnosis of diseases facilitates effective control.

Biotechnology programme offers real opportunities to reduce/overcome agricultural production constraints that are difficult, time consuming or impossible to cope with through conventional research methods on plant, animal and microbial studies. For instance, through the application of biotechnology, development of new desired varieties may take approximately half the time it would take using conventional breeding methods. Specific opportunities for research, adaptation of existing technologies, or technology transfer are currently being identified that will lead to the application of biotechnology in addressing major constraints or opportunities for priority agricultural enterprises. Biotechnology also makes possible the development of rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for priority diseases of both plants and animals and an opportunity to characterize and conserve the rich national genetic plant and animal resources.

Applicable Biotechnology tools include:

Tissue culture for disease-free micro-propagation of priority crops such as banana, potato, sweetpotato, cassava and macadamia.
DNA markers in priority crops for biotic and abiotic stress resistance. · Genetic engineering for the transfer of novel traits to confer resistance/ immunity of food crops, pasture and livestock against biotic and abiotic stress.
Improvement of the nutritive value of foods through improved vitamin, micronutrient (iron, zinc, calcium) and protein contents as well as reducing the anti-nutritive value of foods such as removal of cyanide in cassava.
Development of diagnostics for plant and animal diseases as well as novel vaccines for livestock diseases.
Characterization, improvement and conservation of plant, livestock and microbial germplasm in addition to protection and rehabilitation of the environment.

Goal

Appropriate/superior technologies and knowledge to sustainably enhance incomes of rural people developed, validated and usage catalysed.

Purpose

Applications of appropriate biotechnologies and knowledge systems tested, validated and usage catalysed.

Expected Outputs

Biotechnologically improved and bio-fortified food crop varieties resistant/ tolerant to pests and diseases developed, tested, validated and released.
Biotechnologically improved food crop varieties tolerant to drought and with improved nutritional value developed, validated and released.
Biotechnologically improved and bio-fortified industrial and fodder crop varieties resistant to pests developed, tested, validated and released.
Biotechnologically improved vaccines against priority livestock diseases developed, tested, validated and released.
Biotechnologically improved diagnostics against priority livestock and plant diseases developed, tested, validated and released.
Inoculants for improved soil nitrogen and phosphorous in acid soils developed, validated and released.
Networking between the KARI biotechnology programme initiated/promoted/ fostered and collaborative networks in the region and with policy makers, IARCs and the private sector fostered and monitored.