January - June 2008 - Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

KARI Displays at the International Day for Biological Diversity
By G.A Keya, KARI Headquarters
Opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio
de Janeiro in 1992, the Convention on
Biological Diversity is an international treaty for
the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and
the equitable sharing of the benefits from utilization of
genetic resources. With 191 Parties, the CBD has nearuniversal
participation among countries committed to
preserving life on Earth. The CBD seeks to address all
threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, including
threats from climate change, through scientific
assessments, the development of tools, incentives and
processes, the transfer of technologies and good practices
and the full and active involvement of relevant
stakeholders including indigenous and local communities,
youth, NGOs, women and the business community. The
headquarters of the Secretariat of the Convention are
located in Montreal. The United Nations proclaimed 22
May the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD)
to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity.
This year, the IBD celebrations were held at the National
Museums of Kenya. The theme of this year’s celebration
was Biodiversity and agriculture- safeguarding
Biodiversity and securing food security for the world.
The IBD celebrations in Nairobi went on well. Hon.
William Ruto, Minister for Agriculture was represented
by Hon. Japhet Kareke Mbiuki, the Assistant Minister of
Agriculture in charge of Crop Production. The event was
attended by some 400 participants from the Universities,
Ministries of Environment and Mineral Resources,
Ministry of Agriculture, Wildlife clubs of Kenya,
Agribusiness Companies, a few Nairobi schools, non
Governmental organisations, and members of the public.
Heads of participating organisations who attended the
event included: Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia, Director Sites and
Monuments National Museums of Kenya; Dr. Castro P.
Camarada, FAO Country Representative; Dr. Brent
Swallow, Dr. Brent Swallow; Global Project Leader and
coordinator of the ASB Partnerships for Tropical Forest
Margins representative CGIAR; Dr. Joseph Jojo Baidu-
Forson, Regional Director sub-Saharan Africa, Bioversity
International; Mr. John McDermott, Deputy Director
General, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI),
and Prof. Christian Borgemeister, Director General, ICIPE,
and Directors of Government Agricultural Institutions
such as Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Senior
officers of the Ministries of Environment and also the
Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr. E. Mukisira, Director KARI in a jovial mood at IBD
with the Director of the Biodiversity International incharge
of the African Region, Dr.Joseph Jojo Baidu-
Forson
Mr Kilaparti Ramakrishna (UNEP/DELC) and Mr Nehemiah
Rotich (UNEP/Regional Office for Africa) represented
UNEP. Kilaparti Ramakrishna (UNEP/DELC) read the
message of the UN Secretary General and gave a vote of
thanks at the end of the celebrations. Nehemiah Rotich
read the message of the Executive Secretary of CBD and
presented the key - theme messages for the 2008 IBD.
The Heads of participating organisations.
Seedlings of six popular indigenous Fruit trees were
planted in the Botanic Gardens of the National Museums
of Kenya, both the literature and food exhibitions were
suitably laid out. The Poem by the young School girl, the
drama Skit by “Chanuka Group”, and speeches in the
Museum Lecture theatre also proceeded well. A large
number of reading material were taken by the audience.
The Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
launched the Kiswahili Version of the 2008 Publication of
the International Biodiversity Day, and also launched the
Kenyan portion of diversity for Life, the global
communication initiative.
KARI displayed various outputs. KARI Katumani
displayed the orphaned crops seeds and utilisation of
indigenous drought adapted crops. KARI Kakamega
displayed the fireless cooker and also utilisation of
indigenous crops. KARI Kabete exhibited the various
weeds and their management. Genebank also displayed
their work on biodiversity. The Director, KARI Dr. Mukisira
conducted the invited guests through the displays. A lot
of interest was shown in these displays. It was clear that
KARI is well placed to respond the threat of climate change
on biodiversity through its research activities that target
many components of adaptation to climate change e.g
breeding of drought tolerant crops among others.
Highlighter No. 23
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