KALRO Launches Construction of Naivasha Agri-Park to Bring Research Closer to Farmers

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization has broken ground for the construction of its first Research Agri-Park at the Dairy Research Institute in Naivasha, a project designed to improve farmers’ access to agricultural technologies, research innovations, and extension services.

The groundbreaking ceremony marked a major step in KALRO’s strategy to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical farming by creating a one-stop centre where farmers can access improved technologies, quality inputs, demonstrations, and value-added products.

The event was led by KALRO Board Chairman Thuo Mathenge, alongside Director General Patrick Ketiem, Dairy Research Institute Director Samuel Mbuku, Deputy Director General for Crops Alice Murage, and representatives from the livestock research directorate. Officials from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, the Agricultural Finance Corporation, and other industry partners also attended the launch.

Welcoming guests, Mbuku said agricultural research delivers its greatest impact when it reaches farmers and addresses the challenges they face in the field. He said the Agri-Park represents a shift towards making KALRO’s research outputs more accessible through practical demonstrations and direct farmer engagement.

Ketiem said the facility will serve as a hub for agricultural innovation and will feature several key components designed to support farmers and agribusinesses. These include a Mkulima Shop where farmers can purchase KALRO-developed technologies, seeds, planting materials, and other research products, as well as a KALRO Café that will showcase value-added products developed through the organisation’s research, including dairy products, coffee, tea, and other locally processed commodities.

The Agri-Park will also include demonstration farms and seedling nurseries that will provide hands-on training for farmers, extension officers, students, and agribusiness investors. Office space will be available for strategic partners working across Kenya’s agricultural value chains, creating a collaborative environment for research, innovation, and technology transfer.

Mathenge described the project as the first in a series of Agri-Parks planned by KALRO across the country. He thanked development partners and collaborating institutions for supporting the initiative, saying the centres will make research products and technologies more accessible while strengthening agricultural extension services.

He expressed confidence that the Naivasha facility would be completed within a month and officially opened to begin serving farmers, researchers, and industry stakeholders.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the leadership toured research exhibitions where scientists showcased technologies and innovations developed to address challenges affecting crop and livestock production. The discussions focused on practical solutions for improving productivity, increasing climate resilience, and enhancing farm profitability.

The Agri-Park aligns with Kenya’s broader agricultural transformation agenda, which seeks to accelerate the adoption of modern farming technologies, strengthen value addition, and improve the commercialisation of agricultural research. By creating a platform where innovation meets farming, KALRO expects the facility to help farmers adopt improved practices that enhance productivity, raise incomes, and contribute to national food and nutrition security.