Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) - Strategic Plan 1999–2003 - Strategy for Implementation of Research Programmes

KEFRI Organization Structure

The new structure (Fig. 1) shows the various levels of operation and management. The top level comprises of the Board of Management which is responsible for research and management policies. The Director who is responsible for the overall operation of KEFRI is assisted by two Deputy Directors; one responsible for research and development (R&D) and the other for finance and administration (F&A). The DD (R&D) will oversee four core research programmes while the DD (F&A) will co-ordinate all matters pertaining to human resources, finance, supplies, administration and physical planning.

A Service Programme under the Director's Office, headed by an Assistant Director, will be responsible for sourcing of funds, funding policy and procedures, tree seed production and distribution, information documentation and dissemination, liaison and consultancy, and income generating activities. Additional responsibilities will include liaising with programme co-ordinators in planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects. The Internal Audit will also be attached to the Director's office.

Existing disciplinary research divisions have been consolidated to form a multi-disciplinary approach to research and development with four Core Research Programmes as shown in the organogram. The Core Programmes will be managed by National Programme Co-ordinators/ Assistant Directors who will report directly to the DD (R&D).

The Regional Centres will be managed by Centre Directors who will also report to the DD (R&D). Within the Core Research Programmes, research projects will be managed through working groups of participating scientists.

The Regional Centres will be responsible for implementation of research projects through Field Centres and collaborators particularly those within their localities. Annex II shows locations of Regional Centres and Sub-centres.

Research Implementation Process

Research activities within programmes will be categorized into working groups. The categories are:

• (a) Natural Ecosystems
• (b) Agroforestry
• (c) Stand Management, Growth and Yield
• (d) Integrated Pest Management
• (e) Timber and Non-Timber Products
• (f) Socio-Economics and Policy

This approach will create a 6 x 4 matrix into which each experimental activity could be placed, with individual experiments being linked into specific groups or projects. Each experiment or group of experiments will be implemented by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists with a project/working group leader. Composition of the working group will be determined by relevant skills of individual scientist. The working group leader will be appointed on the basis of the relevance of his/her technical skills for the task of a particular working group.

Research Programme Co-ordination and Management

Proper co-ordination between scientists and stakeholders will be encouraged to facilitate research programme implementation. The Director will provide overall co-ordination. A co-ordination team comprising of the Director, two Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors / Programme Co-ordinators will organize regular meetings to review the progress of project implementation, monitoring and evaluation so as to identify constraints and make appropriate recommendations.

Integrated Approach to Programme Implementation

The Institute's programmes were previously aligned along disciplinary lines and this led to narrowness in visualizing and thoroughness in tackling research problems in integrated manner. To some extent this structure led to duplication of work and hence waste of resources. It is now recognized that internal collaboration and team work efforts is the basic stride towards solving problems of forestry development holistically.

There was need therefore for merger of related research activities to enhance multi-disciplinary approach to research problems. This requires a strategy of networking among all KEFRI research programmes to facilitate programme implementation, information update and exchange. Team work and multi-disciplinary approach to research problems will also be an asset towards preparation of comprehensive and multi-disciplinary proposals for donor funding.

Information Dissemination and Documentation

For research findings to be useful, they must be disseminated properly to beneficiaries. A strategy for information dissemination has been established within KEFRI. Currently information is being disseminated through different types of media that include print media, conferences, seminars, workshops, field days, training courses, and agricultural shows. The Social Forestry Centres at Muguga and Kitui will be strengthened as avenues for information dissemination to users.

		Strong links will be established between the Regional Research Centres and the local extension services to facilitate effective dissemination of research information. The research centres will be responsible for organizing regular meetings for researchers, extension agents and the users of research findings and create a forum for exchange of ideas and evaluation of research progress. The Regional Centre Directors will also be responsible for organizing field days, participating in training of extension agents and jointly setting up demonstration plots with extension agents to enhance technology transfer. Facilities for electronic linkages with other collaborating institutions will be developed in order to network and to access information and materials that are not within KEFRI. There is, therefore, need to be connected to the local networks, Internet and library facilities. Databases will be established and, where necessary, standardized with those existing in other institutions to avoid duplication of activities and identify potential partners. The databases will be managed and periodically updated by the Service Unit.
A farmer presents his experiences during one of the National Social forestry Prize days at KEFRI, Muguga.

For research findings to be effectively communicated, researchers and extension agents will be trained on development of extension materials, effective communication, information documentation, analysis and dissemination methods. Training will also include the use of modern equipments to achieve the goals of effective information exchange.

Collaboration and Partnership

There is need for KEFRI to enhance close linkages with related research institutions to support development of the forestry sector. This will reduce duplication of efforts and thus improve efficiency in use of limited resources.

Currently, KEFRI collaborates closely with various regional, national and international organizations that are involved in forestry research and development. Stronger links will continue to be maintained with the Forest Department, wood-based industries, KARI, Moi University, NMK, KWS, local NGOs and farmers. International collaboration will be strengthened with research institutions in the East African region, especially with FORI (Uganda), EARO (Ethiopia) and TAFORI (Tanzania). Existing linkages will be strengthened with regional and sub-regional networks such as FORNESSA and ASARECA and also with international bodies such as ICRAF, CIFOR, CABI, IUFRO, IPGRI, ACTS and FAO.

Forestry Research Advisory Committee

A Forestry Research Advisory Committee (FRAC) will be established. The membership will comprise of the Director of KEFRI, the Chief Conservator of Forests, the Deputy Director (Research) at KEFRI, the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests in charge of technical matters at FD, the four programme co-ordinators from KEFRI, and heads of divisions of Natural Forests, Plantations, and Extension at FD. Other members will include a representative from NGOs, wood-based industries, MoA, and farmers. FRAC will meet regularly to review: existing projects, new project proposals, priorities, research outputs and their applications. Research Advisory Committees (RACs) will also be established at regional center level to identify research problems in the field, review existing projects and project proposals and give recommendations to FRAC. FRAC will also review recommendations from regional centres.

[ Contents ]