Focused on increased productivity of forests, tree cover and raw materials for industries and domestic use. The following achievements were made;
Produced and distributed 40,400 kg of high quality tree seeds across the country, thus contributing to increase of about 0.2% tree cover annually.
Developed twenty (20) technologies in improved tree germplasm production, conservation and management of priority tree species for increased production of tree seedlings and creation of green jobs.
Established 330 ha of seed orchards for production of high quality seed of; Pinus patula, Cupressus lusitanica, Eucalyptus grandis, Grevillea robusta, Gmelina arborea and Melia volkensii.
Established 120 ha of seed stands for production of high quality seed of; Eucalyptus urophylla, Moringa stenopetala, Moringa oleifera, Melia volkensii, Osyris lanceolata, Terminalia spinosa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Grevillea robusta, Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus patula, Eucalyptus grandis, Tectona grandis, Milicia excelsa, Gmelina arborea and Markhamia lutea.
Established progeny trials of various indigenous and exotic tree species including; Melia volkensii, Cupressus lusitanica, Grevillea robusta, Eucalyptus grandis, Pinus patula and Gmelina arborea.
Imported Pine hybrid germplasm to diversify plantation species in Kenya.
Developed fifteen (15) technologies in propagation and management of the following indigenous tree species; Juniperus procera (cedar), Osyris lanceolata (sandalwood), Melia volkensii (Mukau), Indigenous bamboo and Acacia tortilis (Acacia).
Developed two (2) protocols on propagation of Melia volkensii through tissue culture and improving germination of Melia seed from 20% to over 90%.
Developed three (3) propagation protocols of sandalwood by seeds, cuttings and air-layering.
Identified appropriate host species for establishment of sandalwood on farms that include; Calliandra calothyrsus, Sesbania sesban, Croton megalocarpus and Acacia species.
Developed ten (10) propagation protocols of difficult to propagate indigenous tree species that include; Ocotea usambarensis, indigenous bamboo, Osyris lanceolata, Terminalia brownii, Terminalia kilimandscharica, Prunus africana, Syzygium cumini and Euphorbia tanaensis.
Developed two (2) allometric equations for estimating carbon stocks in Casuarina equisetifolia and Gmelina arborea on farmlands.
Promoted domestication of five (5) high value trees for agroforestry on farms that include; Bamboo, Melia volkensii, Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Moringa oleifera.
Developed three (3) technologies in management of three Eucalyptus pests; Blue Gum Chalcid, Winter Bronze bug and the Eucalyptus snout beetle.
Developed five (5) protocols for detection of tree seed pathogens, as well as diseases of seedlings and mature trees.
Decentralized distribution of tree seed from Central Highlands Eco-Regional Research Programme (CHRP) - Muguga to the other four (5) eco-regional and one (1) national research programmes to increase stakeholder access to high quality tree seed.
Trained over 200 stakeholders on tree seed collection in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Operationalized a quarantine facility for development of forest health technologies.
Focused on rehabilitation and restoration of degraded land for enhanced provision of goods and services, and climate change resilience. The following achievements were made;
Generated technologies for rehabilitation of degraded forests and watersheds in the Mau, Mt. Kenya, Aberdares, Cherangany Hills and Mt. Elgon forest ecosystems and other areas including Maragoli Hills, Gwassi Hills, Homa Hills, Wire Hills and Nguriunditu Forest.
Promoted adoption of Melia volkensii in Taita Taveta, Makueni, Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Kilifi counties.
Developed three (3) indicators of dryland woodlands degradation.
Developed three (3) technologies for management and utilization of Prosopis biomass for livestock feeds, charcoal production and carbon sequestration in Baringo, Garissa, Tana River, Taita Taveta and Turkana counties.
Identified twenty five (25) threatened medicinal plant species of high economic value to pharmaceutical industries and established twenty three (23) demonstration plots in community conservation groves.
Focused on development of quality products for industrial growth and improved livelihoods, and made the following achievements;
Developed twelve (12) production protocols for processing of products that include jam, juices, food supplements, cosmetic products, wine and candies from indigenous fruit tree species and plant parts from Adansonia digitata (Baobab), Tamarindus indica (Tamarind), Sclerocarya birrea (Amarula), Syzygium guinense (Mukoe), Mondia whytei (Mukombero), Vitex payos, Opuntia (prickly cactus) and Aloe species.
Linked the developed production protocols to small and medium enterprises from ten (10) counties namely: Kitui, Makueni, Laikipia, Meru, Embu, Baringo, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi and Kakamega.
Developed three (3) production protocols for utilization of Prosopis pods to produce prosopis wine and flour for human and animal consumption.
Promoted three (3) new tree species; Azadirachta indica (neem), Mangifera indica (mango) and Jacaranda mimosifolia (Jacaranda) as alternative materials for the wood carving industry in Kenya.
Trained 450 stakeholders on production, processing and marketing of gums and resins, leading to increase in gum arabic exports from 58.5 metric tons to 100 metric tons, equivalent to an increase in revenue valued from KES 25 million to KES 50 million respectively.
Trained artisans and entrepreneurs on Bamboo; harvesting, preservation, processing round pole, product design and finishing.
Up-scaled three (3) briquetting technologies from forest and agricultural wastes to 5 community groups and 3 briquette producer cooperatives with annual production of 4.3 metric tonnes of briquettes.
Trained 2500 charcoal producers from 13 Charcoal Producers Associations (CPAs) on efficient charcoal production using casamance, and improved traditional earth, portable, and drum charcoal kilns.
Established Lighodho Bio-enterprise, a briquette producing facility using sugarcane bagasse, in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County.
Improved framed chainsaw and trained over 600 sawyers on chain saw cutter modification, operation of the framed chainsaw system, and efficient on-farm timber sawing.
Trained ten (10) micro enterprise artisans on fabricating the chainsaw frame.
Developed timber strength codes (KS 02-771) and timber grading rules and practices for Cupressus lusitanica and Pinus patula.
Focused on improved dissemination of forestry technologies and made the following achievements:
Facilitated establishment of 15 Prosopis based Charcoal Production Associations (CPAs) in Baringo and Tana River counties, where charcoal trade has benefitted about 1000 members and 500,000 dependants. This resulted in substantial control of invasive Prosopis expansion through harvesting and utilization. Trade in Prosopis charcoal generated KES 100 million in Baringo County and KES 278 million in Tana River County annually.
Determined dependence rate on forest resource at 33% for natural forests and 24% for trees on farms and non-wood forest products.
Developed three (3) innovations that include: a protocol for application and implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Kenya; framework for tracking timber trade in Kenya; and cost-benefit analysis on investment in tree growing in Kenya.
Produced a guideline on bamboo value chain.
Developed two (2) Participatory Natural Resources Management (PNRM) training manuals.
Determined estimated total indirect use values of forests (soil functions, hydrological functions, climate regulation values) from East Mau forest ecosystem at KES 20 billion per year.
Undertook economic valuation of woodlots as an investment option in the coastal region of Kenya.
Focused on improved dissemination of forestry technologies and made the following achievements:
Developed and operationalized three (3) digital Decision Support Systems (DSS) for: Growing of Grevillea, On-farm Tree Valuation, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Developed a Knowledge Management System for the Institute.
Developed a portal to facilitate storage and retrieval of research data and information.
Produced 190 scientific publications including; journal papers, book chapters, guidelines, policy briefs, Technical Notes and Research Notes.
Conducted 100 capacity building courses for various national and international stakeholders including: farmers, tree growers, tree nursery operators, extension agents and forest managers, county and national government officials in: tree seed and seedling production; bamboo value chain; Participatory Natural Resources Management (PNRM); and adaptation to climate change in Africa.
Held about 500 publicity events that included; 450 open days and field days, 50 ASK shows, radio talks, television and print media features.
Held one (1) International (IUFRO-FORNESSA) Forestry Congress and 5th KEFRI Regional Scientific Conference.