Agricultural research in Kenya; review and assessment of the agricultural research capabilities and effectiveness of the scientific research division

The primary problem is that of attracting and retaining competent technical people. The pay scale, which is low in comparison with other institutions, provides no incentive, and there is little prospect for status or promotion to someone thinking of a career in agricultural research. Recommendations include: revision of the salary scale and scheme of service to be competitive, development of a screening and probationary system to assure that time and resources are not wasted and appointment of subject matter specialists to keep the Extension Service advised of the latest information. Also recommended are the establishment of an information office to translate this to the extension service, a review of the distribution and location of research stations and demonstration sites, the development of a policy of the selection of counterparts to work with expatriate scientists, and the establishment of workshops for the repair of machinery, equipment and vehicles. The following research areas need strengthening: range management, drylands agriculture, coastal agriculture, plant pathology, entomology, horticulture, and weed science. The following research areas need strengthening and could use foreign assistance to good advantage: nitrogen fixation in grasses, mixed cropping and multiple cropping, high-quality protein sorghum, and rice research.