2nd KALRO Scientic Conference and Innovation Expo 2026

15 - 19 June 2026. The 2nd KALRO Scientific Conference and Innovation Expo 2026 is organized around the theme “Innovations for Sustainable Agri-food Systems, Climate Change Resilience and Improved Livelihoods.” 

KALRO Director General Dr. Patrick K. Ketiem, highlighted KALRO's achievements since the last conference, including the release of new crop and livestock technologies developed for Kenyan conditions, expanded soil fertility mapping, strengthened disease surveillance systems and the development of extension materials in local languages to ensure farmers can access and understand scientific knowledge.

"Our task today, and in the years ahead, is to close the distancebetween what we have achieved in the laboratory and what farmers are experiencing in the field. Every paper presented and every innovation showcased during the conference must answer three critical questions: Does it work for the farmer? Can it scale? Can it last? The true measure of success is not the number of technologies released, but the number of farmers whose lives are transformed through their adoption". 

The programme was structured into 16 thematic tracks (subthemes) that served as the main discussion and presentation streams. These tracks brought together researchers, policymakers, private-sector actors, farmers, and development partners to explore solutions for transforming Kenya's and Africa's agri-food systems.

Conference Panels / Thematic Tracks

1. Crop Varieties, Productivity and Production Management

Focused on improved crop varieties, breeding innovations, integrated crop management, and strategies to increase productivity and resilience across different agroecological zones.

2. Sustainable Seed Systems, Quality Assurance and Scalability

Examined seed production, certification, distribution systems, and approaches to ensure farmers have access to quality seed at scale.

3. Plant Health, Emerging Crop Pests and Diseases, Biosecurity and Phytosanitary Systems

Addressed pest surveillance, diagnostics, integrated pest management, responsible pesticide use, biosecurity measures, and phytosanitary systems for market access.

4. Plant Nutrition, Soil Health and Conservation Agriculture

Explored soil fertility management, nutrient-use efficiency, conservation agriculture practices, and strategies for restoring and maintaining productive soils.

5. Water Harvesting, Conservation and Irrigation Systems

Focused on irrigation technologies, water-use efficiency, rainwater harvesting, and climate-resilient water management systems.

6. Ecological-Organic Farming, Renewable Energy and Circular Economy

Highlighted organic agriculture, renewable energy applications, composting, recycling, and circular economy approaches for sustainable farming.

7. Climate Change, Land Degradation and Reclamation

Discussed climate adaptation and mitigation, land restoration, carbon-smart agriculture, and resilience-building strategies.

8. Agrodiversity and Genetic Resources

Examined conservation and utilization of genetic resources, germplasm management, and the role of biodiversity in resilient food systems.

9. Animal Feed Resources, Nutrition and Husbandry Practices

Covered forage development, livestock nutrition, rangeland management, pastoral systems, and
husbandry innovations.

10. Livestock Breeds, Breeding Practices and Emerging Livestock Species

Focused on breeding programmes, genetic improvement, genotype-environment interactions, and emerging livestock opportunities.

11. Animal Health, Sanitary Systems and Emerging Livestock Diseases

Addressed vaccines, epidemiology, disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, zoonoses, and livestock biosecurity.

12. Apiculture, Beneficial Insects and Ecosystem Services

Explored beekeeping innovations, pollination services, insect-based enterprises, ecosystem services, and beneficial insects for food and feed.

13. Biotechnological Solutions for Agriculture and Natural Resource Management

Focused on biotechnology applications including gene editing, molecular diagnostics, biotechnology
products, and genetic engineering.

14. Food Safety, Value Addition and Cottage Industries

Examined food safety systems, post-harvest technologies, agro-processing, value addition, and small-scale agribusiness development.

15. Mechanization in Agricultural Systems

Discussed agricultural machinery, precision farming, mechanized production and processing, and innovations to reduce labour and increase efficiency.

16. Technology Transfer, Knowledge Co-Creation and ICT-Enabled Precision Systems

Focused on extension systems, innovation scaling, digital agriculture, ICT-enabled advisory services, precision agriculture, and commercialization pathways

Collaborating CGIAR centres

• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) – headquartered in Nairobi and a frequent KALRO research partner.
• International Potato Center (CIP) – active in seed systems, root and tuber crops, and climate resilience.
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI) – involved in water management and irrigation research.
• Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) – headquartered in Nairobi and active in agroforestry, land restoration, and climate resilience.
• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) – active in crop improvement and pest management across East Africa.
• Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT – engaged in genetic resources, biodiversity, seed systems, and climate-smart agriculture.
• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) – active in maize, wheat, seed systems, mechanization, and conservation agriculture in Kenya. 

Side events

17 June 2026. AI in Agriculture: Opportunities, Implications and Risks.

The side event will focus on demystifying AI in agricultural applications, showcasing existing AI-enabled advisory solutions in Kenya, and exploring partnerships to advance trusted, localized and responsible AI advisory services for farmers, extension officers  and other agricultural actors.

19 June 2026. Artificial Intelligence meets Agribusiness

Prof. Simon W. Ndiritu from Strathmore University will answer a critical modern question: Which way for improved and sustainable food systems in the face of Artificial Intelligence? A synergy between Agribusiness, Innovating Financing and policy for Agricultural growth.