Strengthening Ties: Institute’s Delegation Visits Kenya

July 10, 2024

From July 1 to 6, 2024, a delegation from our institute, led by DDG Prof. Jianyun Ruan, visited Kenya at the invitation of Dr. Eliud Kireger, Director General of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). This visit aimed to further the collaboration outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 between our institute and the Tea Research Institute of KALRO (KLRO-TRI), building a stronger partnership.

During the visit, the delegation, comprising five members from administrative and research departments, explored various key sites, including the KALRO headquarter, KALRO-TRI, and several public and private tea factories.

DDG Jianyun Ruan meets with Dr. Eliud Kireger, Director General of KALRO, and Dr. Samson Kamunya, Director of KALRO-TRI

At KALRO-TRI, the delegates conducted detailed inspections of its laboratories, experimental tea plantations, nurseries, processing bases, and training centers. These visits facilitated in-depth exchanges with Kenyan researchers, fostering mutual understanding and collaborative opportunities.

A significant highlight of the visit was the seminar at the Tea Research Institute. Both sides presented on topics ranging from the development of domestic tea industry and the institute, funding opportunities for collaboration, and latest research progress in tea germplasm resources, genetic breeding, ecological cultivation, and nutrition management. Scientists engaged in fruitful discussions on research trends, challenges, and future cooperation, reaching a consensus on furthering practical collaborations.

Field visits at KALRO-TRI

This visit significantly reinforced the Memorandum of Understanding between our institutes, advancing collaborative efforts in tea research between China and Kenya. It also laid out clear plans for the next steps in developing joint platforms and talent training programs, marking a new chapter in our bilateral cooperation.

Group photo of both teams