Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization

What Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization does

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) is a statutory government research body established under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act No. 17 of 2013 and operational since 1 July 2014 through the merger of KARI, the Tea Research Foundation, the Coffee Research Foundation, and the Kenya Sugar Research Foundation. It is wholly owned by the Government of Kenya under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and operates as the country's primary coordinator of agricultural and livestock research. Its mandate spans crops (food crops, horticulture, coffee, tea, industrial crops), livestock systems (dairy, beef, small ruminants, non-ruminants, apiculture), genetic resources conservation, biotechnology, and environmental and natural resource management.

KALRO delivers its mandate through 16 specialized research institutes, 21 research centres, and 34 sub-centres covering all 47 Kenyan counties and every agro-ecological zone, supported by a National Genebank holding close to 53,000 plant accessions across approximately 1,800 species (with global repositories for sesame and duplicate repositories for African sorghum, millets and pigeon peas). Its proprietary technology stack includes the Aflasafe KE01 biocontrol product (manufactured at AMRI Katumani and distributed by Koppert Biological Systems), the Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform (KAOP) for weather and market data, Molasses-Urea Feed Blocks, Black Soldier Fly feed conversion technology, improved Kienyeji chicken varieties, and over 71 released improved crop varieties. Digital channels include KALRO Knowledgebank, e-Repository, e-Extension platform, KALRO GAPs App (covering 15 value chains), and mobile applications; the KALRO Mkulima Shop and eCitizen platform serve as commercial storefronts for seeds and technologies.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: recurrent Government of Kenya research appropriations, multi-donor grant funding (EU, World Bank, IFAD, Gates Foundation, ACIAR, Crop Trust, and bilateral partners), and technology commercialization (seed sales, KALRO Mkulima Shop, eCitizen platform, and licensing through commercial partners). Strategic customer segments are Kenyan smallholder farmers (primary), county and national government agencies, CGIAR and academic research partners, agribusinesses and seed companies, and education institutions in arid lands. Strategic partnerships span SatSure Analytics (satellite and AI integration), Teagasc (dairy research), IITA (Aflasafe technical backstopping), CIMMYT, ICRISAT, ILRI, AGRA, and Imperial College London / Egerton University (school farms initiative).

Name

Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization

Legal name

Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization

Website

https://www.kalro.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization researches crops, livestock, genetic resources, and biotechnology

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research Services

NAICS

Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Cattle Ranching and Farming (1121), Sheep and Goat Farming (1124), Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support) (AFACAJAG)

Keywords

• Agricultural research services
• Livestock research
• Crop improvement
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Genetic resources conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

City Estate

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: KALRO is a government institution funded through the Kenya Government's agricultural research budget. Established under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act of 2013 to coordinate and advance agricultural research in the country.
2. Donor-Funded Projects: Implementation of donor-funded projects including EU, World Bank, IFAD, Gates Foundation, and bilateral aid programs. Examples include KCEP-CRAL (EU, Equity Bank), AgriFI Kenya CS APP (EU 5 million + GOK 1.5 million co-funding), and Gates Foundation climate adaptation investments.
3. Technology Transfer and Commercialization: Commercialization of agricultural research through sale of seeds, seedlings, technologies, and advisory services. KALRO Seeds unit commercializes improved varieties. Products sold through KALRO Mkulima Shop and eCitizen platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

KALRO conducts agricultural and livestock research across 16 specialized institutes, developing improved crop varieties, livestock breeds, and bio-based technologies for Kenyan farmers. It operates digital advisory platforms (KAOP, Knowledgebank, e-Extension, mobile apps) delivering weather, market, and agronomic information. It also commercializes seeds, biocontrol products (Aflasafe KE01), and livestock feed technologies through KALRO Mkulima Shop, eCitizen, and partner distributors.

Product overview

KALRO is Kenya's premier government agricultural and livestock research organization consisting of 16 specialized research institutes and multiple digital platforms. The portfolio includes: (1) Digital advisory platforms - Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform (KAOP) for weather/market data, KALRO Knowledgebank, e-Repository, e-Extension, and mobile apps including KALRO GAPs App; (2) Seed and planting material products - KALRO Seeds unit, improved crop varieties (Nyota beans, cowpea varieties like KALTEX/Kunde series, sweet potato KC-SWEET PURPLE), and horticultural seedlings; (3) Livestock technologies - Molasses-Urea Feed Blocks, Improved Indigenous Chicken, dairy goat development, and beekeeping innovations; (4) Biocontrol products - Aflasafe KE01 for aflatoxin management; (5) Agricultural mechanization - cassava processors, sorghum threshers, conservation tools; and (6) Research institutes covering crops, livestock, coffee, tea, horticulture, industrial crops, biotechnology, and apiculture. KALRO Mkulima Shop serves as the retail channel for farmer access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KALRO Mkulima Shop: Physical and online shop for KALRO seeds, seedlings, and agricultural products
• KALRO Knowledge Bank
• Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform (KAOP)
• KALRO Seeds
• Aflasafe KE01

Products and services

• KALRO Seeds Commercial seed production and distribution unit developing and selling improved crop varieties including beans, cowpeas, sorghum, millet, maize, and other food crops for smallholder farmers and commercial growers.
• Aflasafe KE01 Biocontrol product developed to combat aflatoxin contamination in maize, groundnuts, and sorghum. Manufactured at the AMRI Katumani facility and distributed by Koppert Biological Systems.
• Molasses-Urea Feed Blocks Livestock feed supplement technology providing nutrition solutions for livestock farmers during drought conditions, helping maintain animal health and productivity in dry seasons.
• Improved Indigenous Chicken (Kienyeji) Crossbred, high-yielding chicken varieties developed to improve poultry productivity for smallholder farmers across Kenya.
• Dairy Goat Development Program Research and development initiative strengthening dairy goat productivity through improved breeds, feeding technologies, and management practices for livestock farmers.
• KALRO Mkulima Shop Retail outlet selling KALRO-developed technologies, seeds, planting materials, and agricultural products directly to farmers, including grafted mangoes, avocados, macadamia, citrus, tissue culture bananas, beans, and maize seeds.
• Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform (KAOP) Digital advisory platform providing weather and market information to smallholder farmers to support climate-smart agricultural decision-making.
• KALRO Knowledgebank Online knowledge platform providing access to KALRO's research outputs, agricultural information resources, and extension materials for farmers and stakeholders.
• KALRO e-Repository Digital archive storing KALRO's research publications, technical reports, and scientific documents for public access.
• KALRO e-Extension Digital extension platform delivering agricultural advisory services and best practices to farmers through mobile and web channels.
• Cowpea Varieties (KALTEX, Kunde Series) Seven improved cowpea varieties developed for arid and semi-arid lands with traits including early maturity (70-80 days), dual-purpose grain and vegetable use, and Alectra vogelii weed tolerance.
• Sweet Potato Varieties (KC-SWEET PURPLE) Purple-fleshed sweet potato variety with high anthocyanin content, adapted to arid and semi-arid areas with root yield potential of 25t/ha.
• Food Crops Research Institute Research institute focusing on cereals (maize, wheat, sorghum, millet, rice), grain legumes, and root/tuber crops for food security.
• Coffee Research Institute Research institute developing improved coffee varieties including Ruiru 11 and Batian, and promoting sustainable coffee farming practices for Kenya's coffee industry.
• Tea Research Institute Research institute focused on tea cultivation, processing, and quality improvement for Kenya's tea industry.
• Dairy Research Institute Research institute dedicated to dairy cattle breeding, milk production optimization, and dairy product development for Kenya's dairy sector.
• Genetic Resources Research Institute (GeRRI) National genebank conserving approximately 53,000 plant accessions including 1,800 species, serving as global repository for sesame and duplicate repository for African sorghum, millets, and pigeon peas, with 3,850 accessions safely duplicated to Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
• Horticulture Research Institute Research institute covering fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinal plants, and macadamia nuts with focus on tissue culture banana propagation and horticultural productivity.
• Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute Research institute developing appropriate agricultural mechanization technologies including cassava processing machines, sorghum threshers, and conservation agriculture tools for Kenyan farmers.
• Industrial Crops Research Institute Research institute focusing on coconut, cashew nuts, cotton, sisal, pyrethrum, silk, and oil crops including four high-yielding cashew varieties (70kg/tree/year).
• Apiculture and Beneficial Insects Research Institute Research institute promoting beekeeping, Black Soldier Fly technology for animal feed, and sericulture (silk production) with developed hive technologies for Kenya's apiculture sector.
• Biotechnology Research Institute Research institute applying biotechnology tools including tissue culture, molecular breeding, and genetic improvement for crop and livestock development.
• KALRO Mobile Applications Suite Suite of mobile applications providing agricultural information, crop management guidance, and market access tools for farmers, including the KALRO GAPs App covering 15 value chains.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tens of millions of farmers reached through existing partnerships
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and regional.

• SatSure Analytics India Pvt. Ltd.strategicTechnology or Integration · 4 August 2025Strategic MoU for integrating satellite data and AI analytics into Kenya's agricultural sector. Collaboration focuses on crop monitoring, yield forecasting, soil health assessment, and climate resilience strategies through Earth observation and AI technologies. Partnership includes pilot projects, joint research initiatives, and development of digital tools for government agencies, agribusinesses, and farmers.
• Teagasc (Ireland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Joint dairy research collaboration between Kenyan and Irish scientists. Co-authored research paper on gestation length and calving performance in dairy cattle selected as Editor's Choice in Journal of Dairy Science. Partnership supported by Embassy of Ireland through Dairy Ireland Kenya Project, Science Foundation Ireland, and Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
• Embassy of Ireland in KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment diplomatic support for Dairy Ireland Kenya Project facilitating Kenyan-Irish dairy research collaboration.
• Imperial College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership in school farms pilot initiative establishing climate-smart agriculture programs in Kenyan drylands. Partnership with Egerton University and KALRO implementing school farms in Kajiado and Isiolo counties.
• Egerton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership in school farms pilot initiative for food security in arid and semi-arid lands. Led by KALRO with Imperial College London supporting research and implementation.
• ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitated stakeholder roundtable in Nairobi bringing together farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, development partners and funders from Southern and Eastern Africa to discuss scaling climate solutions. Highlighted KALRO's Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform and Black Soldier Fly technology.
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational research partnership on livestock systems research and development. ILRI is one of the CGIAR research centres working on agricultural research for development.
• CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational agricultural research partnership on maize and wheat improvement, climate-smart agriculture, and germplasm utilization.
• ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational research partnership on dryland crops including sorghum, millets, pigeon peas, and groundnuts.
• ASARECA (Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional agricultural research forum coordinating research efforts across Eastern and Central Africa.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency partner in KCEP-CRAL and other agricultural development programs, including support for Knowledge Management Technical Working Group.
• AGRA (Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for promoting agricultural transformation in Africa through improved seeds, sustainable agriculture, and market access.
• KEPHIS (Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational regulatory body for plant health working on variety release, seed certification, and phytosanitary measures.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent ministry providing policy direction and coordination for KALRO's research agenda aligned with national agricultural priorities.
• Koppert Biological SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial partner for distribution of Aflasafe KE01, the biocontrol product for aflatoxin management manufactured by KALRO.
• IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides technical backstopping for Aflasafe development and deployment in Kenya.
• ICIPE (International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology)regionalTechnology or IntegrationAfrican research organisation working on insect science and ecosystem management for sustainable agriculture.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT): CIMMYT is a CGIAR research centre that develops improved maize and wheat varieties and sustainable farming practices, with deep partnerships in Kenya. It is a direct peer in crop-improvement research and germplasm dissemination, overlapping with KALRO's Food Crops Research Institute and seed commercialisation mandate.
• International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT): ICRISAT is a CGIAR centre working on sorghum, millets, pigeon peas, groundnuts, and chickpea - several of the same dryland crops KALRO's GeRRI conserves and improves. It is a direct peer in semi-arid crop research and a listed KALRO partner on germplasm utilisation.
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI): ILRI is a CGIAR livestock research centre based in Nairobi with overlapping mandate on dairy, beef, small ruminants, and pastoral systems in East Africa. KALRO partners with ILRI for livestock systems research, and both target the same smallholder livestock producers.
• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA): IITA is a CGIAR centre providing technical backstopping for Aflasafe KE01 development that KALRO manufactures. It is a direct peer in tropical crop improvement and biocontrol product development across Sub-Saharan Africa.
• International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe): icipe is an African research organisation working on insect science for sustainable agriculture, including apiculture, sericulture, and beneficial insects - directly overlapping KALRO's Apiculture and Beneficial Insects Research Institute (ABIRI).

Broad incumbents

• Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA): EMBRAPA is Brazil's national agricultural research corporation with a tropical-crop and livestock mandate comparable in scale and breadth to KALRO. It is a broad incumbent peer operating a similar public-sector research model across crops, livestock, and natural resources.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): ICAR is India's apex national agricultural research body with 100+ institutes spanning crops, livestock, fisheries, and allied sectors. It is a broad incumbent with a comparable public-sector model of coordinated research and farmer extension.

Regional players

• National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Uganda: NARO is Uganda's statutory national agricultural research organisation with a portfolio of Public Agricultural Research Institutes covering crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry. It is a regional peer in East Africa with a mandate structurally similar to KALRO's (though serving a different country).

Emerging players

• Teagasc: Teagasc is the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority co-authoring dairy research with KALRO via the Dairy Ireland Kenya Project. It is a partner peer in applied dairy systems research rather than a direct competitor, but its public-sector research and extension model is functionally comparable.

Others

• Crop Trust: Crop Trust is an international non-profit supporting plant genetic resources conservation, including the Power of Diversity Funding Facility that funds KALRO's GeRRI germplasm work. It is an adjacent/ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, providing financial and policy support for KALRO's genebank.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kalromkulima
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCiK13RnXgpJzI8gCnkHHTg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kalromkulima
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kalro-farming

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization