Regional arid research centre set up in Marsabit County
Erick Habers, head of the EU delegation, checks through a microscope at the research centre in Marsabit. The centre is set to be a regional research hub for arid areas in Kenya and Africa. PHOTO | JEFF MWANGI | NATIONN MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- It is sponsored by the European Union in-conjunction with the Kenya government through National Drought Management Authority.
- It will be a regional research training and informational hub with boarding and conference facilities.
- Arid and semi-arid areas are mostly affected by persistent drought leading to food shortages and deaths of both people and livestock.
- EU Head of Cooperation Erick Hebers said EU will continue supporting research in agriculture and livestock in Kenya.
A regional research centre has been established in Marsabit County.
The centre is sponsored by the European Union in-conjunction with the Kenya government through National Drought Management Authority.
It will be located at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO).
It will be a regional research training and informational hub with boarding and conference facilities for people researching on agriculture and livestock in arid areas in the country and in Africa.
It is expected to benefit arid areas both in Kenya and Africa.
PERSISTENT DROUGHT
Arid and semi-arid areas are mostly affected by persistent drought leading to food shortages and deaths of both people and livestock.
According to the administrators at the centre, all research done at the hub will be digitised so that any person interested in information on research done there can get it on the Internet.
Speaking at the launch of the hub, the EU Head of Cooperation Erick Hebers said EU will continue supporting research in agriculture and livestock in Kenya.
“I am happy with the results so far the hub has brought especially on value change. Investment in research can go a long way in adding value to agriculture and livestock products,” said Mr Hebers.
THANKED EUROPEAN UNION
National Drought Management Authority CEO James Oduor thanked EU for the support in combating drought in the country and for supporting the research centre saying that this will contribute a lot in getting long lasting solutions to food insecurity especially in arid areas.
“EU intends to support the country with 10 million Euros in combating drought in the country and has already given out half of this amount where the Authority had already dispersed Sh249 million in drought affected counties in the country” said Oduor.
The CEO said that though the money was not enough, this would go a long way in uplifting the lives of people who are currently affected by drought.
He urged the county governments and other partners to chip in and assist.
Marsabit County Deputy Governor Omar Abdi Ali said the centre will be of much assistance in carrying out agricultural and livestock research in the county and also in neighbouring countries like Ethiopia.
“I thank the EU for the support they have given in addressing the drought situation in this county by supporting various water pans and borehole projects.
“However, more needs to be done as people in the county are really suffering due to lack of water especially during this dry spell,” Mr Ali said.
The deputy governor said as a county, they would continue supporting and working together with partners for the development of the county especially in addressing the drought which has caused a lot of harm to the residents.
