Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) - Strategic Plan 1999–2003 - Research and Development Programmes
Research and Development Focus
To address the challenges facing the forestry sector, policy objectives have been formulated and
these include conserving natural forest cover, alleviating poverty and promoting forest industry. These goals
and objectives not only reflect a comprehensive agenda for strategic, applied and adaptive research in forestry,
but also adopts interactive and integrated orientation towards natural resource management. The aim is to
understand and synthesize the processes involved in forestry R & D and natural resource management in
addition to determining and predicting the short, medium and long-term technologies to be generated. KEFRI's
proposed R & D programmes are organized into four research programmes: Farm Forestry, Natural Forests,
Dryland Forestry and Forest Plantations which are supported by a Service Programme. This chapter highlights
areas of research focus. Annex I provides ranked problems and key research activities.
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Farm Forestry
The focus of this programme is to contribute to the current efforts of tree planting, conservation and
utilization activities by farmers in order to diversify farm products and improve their living standards. To
achieve this objective, the programme will strengthen linkages amongst extension agents, researchers and farmers
through development of effective extension approaches as well as production of appropriate management
guidelines. Research focus will be on development of fast growing species with high market demand and their
management practices, market research, facilitation on establishment of on-farm tree seed sources, evaluation of
traditional tree management practices and policy research. There is need to develop appropriate on-farm
technologies suited to specific situations.
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Plate 4.1 Trees are an integral part of the rural agricultural landscape |
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Natural Forests
The main objectives of natural forest conservation and management are to conserve soil, water,
biodiversity and the productive potential of these forests. Kenya's natural forests have been over-exploited,
degraded and are currently not managed sustainably.
Limited research has been done to provide information needed to guide the conservation and management
of natural forests. Research will focus on policy issues, economic value of conservation and its quantification,
creating better understanding of wood properties, monitoring regeneration and growth, development of
rehabilitation systems and provision of information to enhance biodiversity conservation. |
| Plate 4.2 Natural forests provide a variety of products and services.
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Dryland Forestry
The objective of drylands forestry programme is to place the woodlands, wooded grasslands and bushlands
under effective management. This will contribute to the sustainability of extensive pastoralism; yield an
increased sustainable flow of wood and non-timber forest products and facilitate conservation of biodiversity
and habitats.
Research will focus on developing technologies for improving the utilization of forest products,
monitoring trends in vegetation changes, documentation of traditional knowledge, identification of drought and
pest resistant trees and policy related research.
Forest Plantations
The major problems facing the development of forest plantations are low rate of replanting in harvested
areas, reliance on a few exotic species which are being threatened by pests and diseases, poor silvicultural
management and inefficient use of wood. The main objective of forest plantation programme is to meet the
country's demand for industrial wood. Future research activities will be directed at improving the supply of
high quality tree seed, diversification of plantation species, reducing damage due to pests and diseases,
costs-benefit analysis of silvicultural operations and improvement of wood utilization.
Service Programme
The programme's goal is to facilitate research through documentation and dissemination of findings,
acquisition of literature, identification, coordination and management of income generating activities by the
institute. The income generated activities include; training, sale of wood, timber, seedlings, tree seeds,
processed forest products and technical expertise through consultancy services.
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Plate 4.3 Drylands occupy two-thirds of Kenya's surface area. Reverting dryland degradation is a critical challenge. |
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Plate 4.4 Well managed plantations are a base for meeting our timber; pulp and paper; and service related needs. |
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The programme will undertake to improve generation of income, information documentation and dissemination
and partnerships with stakeholders in the forestry sector. Production of user friendly research derived
information will be emphasised to ensure that non-technical clients benefit from forestry research.
A key objective of the Service Programme is to facilitate efficient communication and promotion of
application of research findings. To achieve this objective, the programme will undertake activities aimed at:
strengthening the KEFRI Library facilities, training scientists and information staff in scientific writing and
documentation; and improving efficiency in information technology skills. In addition, efforts will be made to
strengthen research-management liaison and linkages among researchers, managers and extension agents especially
at the Regional research centres. |
| Plate 4.5 Research findings are published and disseminated. |
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