Eliud Kireger, Kalro Director General. FILE photo | nmg
The Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation
(Kalro) will lose half of its scientists in the next three years, a move
that will hit hard the country’s efforts to look for new crop varieties
to fight hunger.
Kalro Director General Eliud Kireger
said 50 per cent of its scientists will be retiring in the next three
years and resources are required to hire more for replacement.
The organisation currently has 1,200 researchers assigned to different fields in both the crop and animals.
“We
are staring at a situation where half of our aging scientists will not
be with us in the next three years as they are due for retirement,” said
Dr Kireger.
Dr Kireger, however, said they are
currently hiring interns and training them to replace the researchers
over the next three years, adding that the new staff will take longer to
acquire the necessary skills.
Dr Kireger was speaking
Thursday during the launch of Kalro strategic plan 2017-2021 that guides
implementation of the organisation’s functions and research programmes.
Kalro
is a state-funded institution that brings together more than 10
agro-based research bodies. It took over the role of the defunct Kenya
Agricultural Research Institute.
Research is critical for agriculture that accounts for more than a quarter of Kenya’s GDP and employs the majority of Kenyans.
The
strategy will guide Kalro in developing technologies and innovations
and sharing, storing and collation of research knowledge, information
and products among other things.
The body has in the past grappled with financial challenges a move that saw some scientists seek alternative employment.
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