Featured Member of the Month

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)

The Kenya Forestry Research Institute was established in 1986 under the science and Technology Act (Chapter 250) to carry out research in forestry and allied natural resources. The institute has eight research and development programmes namely: Farm Forestry, Natural Forests, Dry land Forests, Industrial Forest Plantations, Technology Dissemination & Service Programme, Partnership & Networks Tree Seed, Corporate Affairs, Enterprise Office. 

The institute also has 5 support programmes namely: Administration Division, Human Resource Division, Accounts Division, Supplies Division and The Enterprise Office.

The Mandate of The Kenya Forestry Research Institute is to:

• Conduct research in forestry;
• Disseminate research findings;
• Co-operate with other research bodies within and outside Kenya carrying out similar research; and
• Establish partnership with other organizations and institutions of higher learning in training and on other matters of forestry development.

Vision

To be a centre of excellence in forest science through technology development, deployment and dissemination of scientific information.

Mission

To conduct research and provide information and technologies for sustainable development of forest and allied natural resources.

Core Values

• Team Work
• Integrity
• Partnership
• Clean and healthy Environment

Goal and Strategic Objectives

Vision 2030 recognizes the role of Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) in socio-economic transformation of Kenya. The Vision identifies strategies for STI in strengthening technical capabilities; intensification of innovations in priority areas; improving capacity to adopt new technologies; STI awareness; validation and integration of traditional knowledge and technologies in natural resource management.

The goal of KEFRI is to contribute to achieving the Vision 2030 by developing technologies for sustainable development and utilization of forest and allied natural resources to enhance clean and healthy environment.

The strategic objectives are:

• To generate knowledge and technologies for forest development, conservation, management and utilization,
• To strengthen research and management capacity,
• To improve seed production, distribution and marketing,
• To disseminate forest research findings,
• To improve corporate profile and public image of KEFRI, and
• To strengthen linkages and partnership with stakeholders

Research Achievements

The research achievements achieved by the institute in the recent past include:

• Guidelines on Participatory Forest Management have been developed to support the New Forest Act; Strategic Plan 2008-2012
• Piloted management and control of Prosopis juliflora, an invasive dryland species;
• Developed and promoted planted and management protocols for Melia volkensii (Mukau) in the dry areas for timber;
• Initiated domestification and utilization of aloe species;
• Introduced exotic bamboo and developed management and utilization of local and exotic bamboo species;
• Generated knowledge and build capacity of extension and local communities in harvesting, handling and marketing of gums and resins;
• Developed fast growing Eucalyptus grandis for improved wood production;
• Successfully introduced biological agents for control of Cypress aphid; and
• Increased annual production of tree seed from 3000kg in 2002 to 6000kg in 2007, which can produce about 200 million seedlings.

Why membership in IUFRO is important to KEFRI

KEFRI is currently hosting the 51st IUFRO Board meeting, which will be of particular importance as it is the "mid-term" Board meeting. It is also preceeding the First IUFRO-FORNESSA  Regional Congress in Africa, (26-29 June 2012; Nairobi, Kenya).

Links:

• KEFRI website: http://www.kefri.org/

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