PhD Agricultural economics, over 20 years experience in African smallholder agricultural development, especially promoting adoption & upscaling of improved technology using innovative multistakeholder partnerships & platforms, competitive grant development & management, project development & management, capacity development; knowledge management.
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 Contact Lydia Kenya
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Area of Expertise: |
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Agriculture, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Rural
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Professional Experience: |
I have experience in African smallholder agricultural development especially in promoting uptake and upscaling of agricultural technologies, centred on application of multi-stakeholder innovation platforms (IP) and value chain framework. I have provided technical support and led teams to design, develop and implement programmes and projects that aimed at facilitating smallholder farmers and other end users of research to access proven agricultural technologies, markets and other services for greater impact on food and nutrition security and income; experience in evaluation of agricultural programmes and more than 15 years experience in design and management of competitive grant programmes as mechanism to support agricultural research for development (AR4D).
Have worked as programme manger for the Association of Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) for 8 years, where I provided intellectual leadership in strategic planning and establishment of the programme’s research portfolio, oversaw design and implementation of the projects. Also did similar experience when I worked for a UK-headquartered international agricultural development NGO known as FARM Africa in 2001-2006, where I spearheaded the design and establishment of Maendeleo Technology Transfer Fund (MATF) - a challenge programme that promoted use of innovative partnerships to facilitate the transfer and uptake of agricultural technologies across east Africa and I managed the programme and oversaw the development and implementation of over 50 projects.
I have conducted numerous studies and facilitated research teams to review their projects, reflect in order to understand what works generate and disseminate knowledge and best practices in promotion of technology adoption and upscaling by farmers in eastern and central Africa. Have published peer-refereed papers, books and book chapters and technical materials.
Have worked with the University of Nairobi for over 15 years teaching, supervising and mentoring graduate students in agricultural economics, and conducting research mostly on adoption and impact of technologies.
Have served as board member of the Kenya Gatsby Trust, an NGO that promotes innovative market solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) including agro-based enterprises; haves served as member of a Technical Review Panel for the World Food Programme’s Purchase for Progress Programme (P4P), and Executive Steering Committee member of the Sweetpotato for Profit and Health Initiative (SPHI), under the International Potato Centre.
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Education: |
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PhD in agricultural economics at Michigan State University obtained in 1993. The focus of study was on international agricultural development and the thesis research was on linking smallholder horticultural producers in Kenya with export market in Europe. Also have masters degree in Agricultural economics and Bsc agriculture from University of Nairobi
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Years of Experience:
More than 20 years |
Highest Qualification:
Doctorate |
Languages:
English, Kiswahili |
Nationality:
Kenya
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