Kari earns top marks from Dar

• Tanzania VP praises research institute and urges EAC states to upgrade it for region

East African Community partner states have been urged to contribute funds to upgrade the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute into a regional body.

Speaking after touring the institute on Tuesday, visiting Tanzanian Vice-President Ali Mohamed Shein praised the research work at the centre, noting that the equipment at the institute would adequately serve the region.

He also challenged agricultural researchers in the five partner states to forge close working relations to develop crop varieties that will withstand the region’s climatic conditions and ensure food security.

“From what I have seen today, anyone who wants quality research in agriculture does not need to go far. Just come to Kari,” he said.

Food sufficiency

Mr Shein said that his country would cooperate with Kenya in agricultural research to ensure food sufficiency for the people of the EAC.

“Our two countries have committed to continue working closely on areas of common interest such as agriculture,” he said.

Dr Shein commended the partner states for increasing budgetary allocation to agriculture from 0.01 per cent to one per cent. “This is a lot of money, but we still need more to counter the effects of climate change and other challenges,” he said.

Kari is the most advanced agricultural research centre in East Africa and agriculture still remains the economic backbone of the five EAC partner states.

Peak of famine

The Tanzanian Vice-President was accompanied by Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Agriculture assistant minister Gideon Ndambuki, the Home Affairs permanent secretary, Dr Ludeki Chweya, and the director of Kari, Dr Ephraim Mukisira.

Mr Ndambuki thanked Tanzania for accepting to export maize to the country at the peak of the famine last year.