Mr. Harun Odhiambo
Harun Odhiambo is a practicing Research Scientist at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Horticulture with Information Technology and is currently a candidate for an advanced Degree in Crop Protection (Plant Pathology option). He has received special training on Integrated Crop Protection and Safe Use of Pesticides from the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OEACP) and the European Union. Prior to this, he acquired an Intermediate Certificate in Crop Protection from the same Institution.
Mr. Odhiambo doubles as master trainer along agricultural commodity value chains, hands-on technical expert on establishment of field demos and an expert in proposal writing with impact and research writing in agricultural sciences having been certified by East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in 2022. Besides, he has acquired basic training in Nematology (Entomopathogenic and Plant Parasitic Nematodes) from Pan-African Nematology Network (PANEMA). He has authored and co-authored scientific research articles in referred journals and conference proceedings. In addition, he has immensely contributed to development of technical training materials across different crop value chain disciplines namely; Crop Physiology and Biochemistry, Plant Pathology, Crop Nutrition, Integrated Soil Fertility and Water Management, Agricultural Entomology, Weed Science and Food Safety.
As a master trainer and young researcher on agricultural production systems, Mr. Odhiambo boasts of 6 years’ experience in dissemination of Climate Smart Agriculture interventions through various donor funded programs. Key among these are the Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (under USAID), Kenya Climate Smart Agricultural Project, Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative Project. National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP), National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), Participatory Propagation of Aspergillus spp Tolerant Groundnut Seed and Grain and Promotion of Passionfruit Seed Production under Phytosanitary Practices (UNIDO – MARKUP), World Food Program.
Until December 2024, he was the assistant coordinator (Kenyan chapter) of a consortium project (Technology Transfer through Innovative Seed and Ware Potato Production Systems in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda) funded by the European Union. From 2019 to date, he’s an active member of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition. Research interests of Mr. Odhiambo focus on crop health and physiology, agronomy and conservation agriculture across legumes and vegetables.