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.