As the R&D Manager, I drive improvements in efficiency, productivity, and sustainability across all aspects of farm operations:My Duties Include:•Lead the development of comprehensive integrated crop and pest management programs, enhancing our farming protocols.•Oversee the implementation of regenerative agriculture practices, including composting and cover crop operations, to restore soil health.•Coordinate with our team to develop innovative cultivation protocols and standard operating procedures that bolster farm operations efficiency.•Spearhead the development of irrigation and fertigation programs to maintain efficient and effective systems.•Utilize precision farming tools to optimize input use, boosting crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts.•Manage IoT devices and perform data analytics to monitor and optimize production systems.•Direct variety selection trials, choosing the best varieties that are adaptable and meet market demands, in collaboration with the marketing team.•Oversee the implementation of regenerative agriculture practices, including composting and cover crop operations, to restore soil health.•Monitor soil and plant health, recommending necessary amendments to sustain health, in partnership with our technical managers.•Train our production teams on best practices and new technologies, ensuring continuous improvement across departments.•Collaborate with farm input vendors to trial new products and stay abreast of advancements in crop production technologies.•Compile and analyze technical agronomic and production reports, leveraging team insights for the optimization of ongoing and future operations.

As a program associate in KALRO-Kakamega, I collaborated with a team of experts to lead programmes and secure funding aimed at enhancing agricultural practices for smallholder farmers.Achievements:•Grant Acquisition: Collaborated with food system experts to author proposals that secured $100,000 in funding for ongoing research initiatives, enhancing our collective research capacity.•Training and Development: 1. Conducted training for over 50 smallholder farmer groups, significantly enhancing variety adoption and improving farming techniques.2. Collaboratively managed plant pathology and molecular research labs, mentoring students and guiding five junior researchers.•Field Trial Management: Directed over 10 field trials on common beans and sorghum, leading to notable crop improvements.•Integrated Plant Health Management:1. Analyzed farming practices among bean growers, identifying barriers to the adoption of effective crop protection strategies and suggesting improvements.2. Critically assessed the use of agrochemicals, recommending steps to enhance efficacy and safety.3. Developed strategies that significantly enhanced plant health and yield.4. Utilized advanced diagnostic techniques to identify Elsinoë phaseoli as the causal agent of bean scab.5. Characterized over 10 fungal species associated with common beans, identifying several as potential threats.6. Mapped bean scab distribution across Kenya, greatly enhancing epidemiological insights.7. Developed five optimized laboratory protocols, significantly boosting fungal conidial production.8. Identified primary sources of bean scab inoculum, supporting targeted management efforts.9. Provided critical insights into the effects of crop rotation on major fungal diseases in common beans.10. Documented the progression of major fungal diseases under various management regimes.•Scholarly Contributions: Authored five peer-reviewed articles focused on fungal diseases and crop management.

Achievements:•Successfully led the implementation of two key environmental and waste management projects, resulting in significant improvements in waste reduction and sustainability practices.•Compiled, analyzed, and presented detailed reports that consistently met United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOA) requirements, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and maintaining alignment with project goals.•Oversaw the coordination and execution of multiple contracts, ensuring seamless delivery of services and 100% compliance with stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements.•Played a pivotal role in achieving operational objectives by contributing valuable insights and recommendations to strategic plans and reviews, enhancing both staff performance and project outcomes.•Met and exceeded financial objectives by accurately forecasting project requirements using advanced project costing techniques, optimizing resource allocation and budget management.•Regularly provided technical briefings to project stakeholders, delivering clear and concise reports on the progress of potable water supply and wastewater management projects.•Actively participated in the formulation of organizational policies and strategies, contributing to the overall direction and effectiveness of the organization’s operations and initiatives.

Between 2009 and 2013, while pursuing my undergraduate studies, I volunteered with various conservation organizations, including Lewa Conservancy, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, and Kenya Wildlife Service. My experiences included:• Collected and analyzed wildlife data, contributing to 3 conservation research projects.• Monitored wildlife and endangered species, ensuring the maintenance of water systems in protected areas.• Managed rangelands and controlled invasive species, improving habitat quality for endangered species.• Organized conferences and fostered collaborations, enhancing conservation efforts among stakeholders.