Gerald Mutua Email & Phone Number

Nairobi Kenya

Horticultural Agriculture Expertise | Empowering Smallholder Farmers | Sustainable Food Systems & Agribusiness Development and Innovation• As a team leader, I take the helm in guiding dynamic teams to pioneer and execute projects that propel sustainable solutions within the domain of horticultural agriculture.• Empowered over 150,000 smallholder farmers by establishing and promoting sustainable food systems and agribusiness practices, resulting in increased income by 30% and improved livelihoods.• Designing and delivering competency-based training modules and development manuals for agricultural knowledge institutions for impactful training programs. • Foster adaptation strategies and facilitate the transfer of technology and best practices to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and agricultural cooperatives.• Development of local Agri-Food Networks (clusters) enhancing collaboration between stakeholders ultimately optimizing value chains for increased revenue and lower transaction costs.• Facilitate capacity-building programs, providing coaching and mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurs and agribusiness professionals.• Support SME development and entrepreneurship education, promoting inclusive business models, and regenerative agriculture for resilient agricultural communities.

Kenya

I have the privilege of working with two prominent organizations - iCRA and CropCare Technologies whose shared vision is to build a modern, thriving, and sustainable agricultural sector founded on trusted agribusiness partnerships that provide society with nutritious food of high quality. Joint Strategy Development and Execution significantly impacting the Kenyan agricultural landscape. Lead in establishing local representation and networking contributing to to competence-based training and advisory services. Co-implementing projects and assignments aimed at enhancing agribusiness partnerships and collaborative action. Development of local Agri-Food Networks (clusters) enhancing collaboration between producers, service providers, aggregators, and processors, ultimately optimizing value chains for increased revenue and lower transaction costs. Designing and delivering competency-based training modules and development manuals for agricultural knowledge institutions Community Development & Innovations that bring together professionals, cluster coaches, and local BDS providers to exchange, inspire, and innovate in the field of agribusiness.

Harpenden, England, United Kingdom

Conducted PhD research in the Study on 'Effect of Nutrition on Infectivityof the Nematopaghous Fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on Nematode Eggs' • Six-month research placement at Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK.• Published peer-reviewed paper: "The Pochonia chlamydosporia Serine Protease Gene vcp1 Is Subject to Regulation by Carbon, Nitrogen, and pH: Implications for Nematode Biocontrol" in PLoS ONE (2012)• Expertise in Nematode and fungal culture maintenance, Molecular techniques including DNA and RNA extraction, purification, and amplification, and Diagnostic PCR and sequencing / enzyme assays to measure activity of VCP1 using spectrophotometry and quantification of gene expression levels using specific primers and probes.

Kenya

At CropNuts, I played a key role in addressing soil, water, and food challenges by democratizing access to Laboratory testing and Climate-Smart advisory services for Farmers and Agribusinesses. My highlights included establishing a cutting-edge plant pest and disease laboratory, developing sustainable management strategies, collaborating with stakeholders, conducting research, designing tailored training programs, and leading the dissemination of insights to drive positive change in agricultural practices.

Kenya

Lecturer in two courses : (i) Principles of Plant Disease and Management (ii) Crop Science

Kenya

Researcher in various projects within the Crop Protection Departments, Nematology Division. In addition, was a part-time lecturer of the following modules (i) Crop Production, (ii) Plant Pest and Disease Management, (iii) Plant Nematology and (iv) Plant Biotechnology

Nairobi County, Kenya / Rothamsted Research

• Conducted PhD research in the Study on 'Effect of Nutrition on Infectivity of the Nematopaghous Fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on Nematode Eggs'

Certificate, Seed Potato Technology Certification And Supply Systems

Master'S Degree, Nematology

Bachelor Of Science - Agriculture, Crop Protection & Plant Pathology