Overview
CETRAD is a Bilateral Institution between the Government of Kenya (through the Ministry of Water and Irrigation) and the Government of Swiss Confederation, through the Centre for Development and Environment of the University of Berne. CETRAD was established in July 2002 as a follow up of the then Laikipia Research Programme (1976 - 1997), and therefore builds on the long term preinvestment research facility.
CETRAD's mandate
CETRAD's mandate is the ASALs, and focuses on the assessment and evaluation of the potential and the utilisation of the resources in the said areas. This mandate as well includes the assessment and evaluation of the interaction and relations between the ASAL and the high potential areas (in particular mountains and highlands) on the one hand, and the interaction and relations with the economic core regions (in particular urban centres).
Thematic Focus
CETRAD research activities are conducted within the frame of the four major thrusts:
- Strategies for Sustainable Development;
- Land Use Planning for Sustained Livelihood and Optimal Resource Use;
- Promotion of Sustainable Resource Use and Management for Improved Productivity; and
- Non-farm/Non-pastoral Economic Development, Infrastructure and Services.
The research activities are grouped according to the respective framework of funding that include:
Training Overview
CETRAD offers short-term training courses and provides a platform for academic training programmes from collaborating local and foreign universities and other related research institutions. The short-term courses are designed to impart technical skills and provided field based and practical exposure to the target trainees, normally drawn from government and NGO institutions from the respective training fields. The academic training programmes are offered at Masters, PhD and Post Doc levels.
Currently, the following training courses are on offer:
