*4.3.4.2 Biodiversity research and development agenda for drylands*

The Natural Resource Management (NRM) has been defined to mean *inter alia* the sustainable utilization of major natural resources, including forests, wild flora, and fauna [54]. Natural resources play an important role in providing fundamental life support, by proving a diversity of products and services, both social and ecological. Sustainable management of these resources is challenged by increasing demands, climate change, pollution, and economic development needs. These pressures have led to dwindling availability of natural resources, especially in the ASALs. The national research priorities that have been identified in Kenya to address the above challenges include, among others, the following [55]:


*Combating Desertification through Enhancement of Woody Floral Diversity in the Drylands… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.100399*

Biodiversity is also a key component of KEFRI's research and development agenda as articulated in the Institute's 2018–2022 Strategic Plan [56]. The current KEFRI Strategic Plan aims to achieve the following seven strategic objectives:


KEFRI's specific actions in the development of technologies for rehabilitation and restoration of forests and allied natural resources in drylands target the following [56]:

