Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

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Dr. Sayed Samiullah Hakimi

Member since
Organization: Former Associate Professor at Kabul University, and Senior Consultant at ICARDA
Country: Australia
Field(s) of expertise:
I am working on:
Currently engaged in writing academic papers, providing freelance consulting services, and actively exploring full-time opportunities.

Ph.D. in Horticulture |Postharvest Technology | Agri-Food Development & Sustainability Consultant

I hold a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India. I am a seasoned professional with extensive experience in agricultural development and sustainability, having served as an Associate Professor at Kabul University and as a Consultant in the Horticulture and Agri-Food sector. Currently, I reside in Melbourne, Australia, as a permanent resident and work as a freelance Agri-Food Consultant. My career is dedicated to advancing agricultural development, sustainability, and food security globally.

With extensive expertise in climate-smart agriculture, horticulture production and postharvest technology, research, and innovation, I have implemented strategies to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience. My work spans a range of areas, including:

  • Teaching horticulture production, postharvest technology and climate resilience practices
  • Promoting sustainable practices and ensuring food safety and quality control.
  • Managing horticultural value chains and agribusiness programs.
  • Optimizing micro-irrigation and water catchment systems.
  • Evaluating and adapting horticultural/agricultural crop varieties.
  • Conducting field, laboratory, and review research.
  • Managing, monitoring and evaluating projects for long-term impact.

Over the years, I have contributed to technical, managerial, and humanitarian programs in Afghanistan, the United States, India, Lebanon, Morocco, and Pakistan. Through these engagements, I have delivered numerous presentations and gained invaluable international experience. My exposure to diverse cultures and environments has strengthened my ability to collaborate effectively with communities worldwide.

Key Career Highlights

  1. Consultant at JICA, Afghanistan
    • Conducting value chain and supply chain assessments of horticultural crops.
    • Engaging with stakeholders to design strategic projects for the horticulture sector, addressing challenges and maximizing opportunities.
  2. Senior Consultant at ICARDA, Afghanistan
    • Led capacity-building programs in climate-smart agriculture, food safety, and agribusiness.
    • Supporting breeding programs, humanitarian efforts, policy-level agricultural documentation, research and publications
    • Designing business models to strengthen Afghanistan’s seed certification system.
    • Contributing in project management, impact studies, monitoring and evaluation
  3. Food Safety Consultant at WHO
    • Developing food safety guidelines and conducted training programs.
    • Providing technical advice on HACCP, GMP, food laws, and quality assurance systems.
  4. Consultant for ANHDO (EU/AFD Funded) & USAID Programs
    • Conducting midterm and final evaluations for long-term horticulture projects.
    • Focusing on baseline surveys, agriculture value chains, and community capacity building.
  5. Academic and Research Contributions
    • Serving as Associate Professor at the Horticulture Department, Kabul University.
    • Publishing research on horticulture production, postharvest technology and climate-smart agricultural practices.
  6. Volunteer Collaborator
    • Representing Afghanistan in international collaborations, including a project under the Asia Pacific Network in partnership with institutions in Australia (Western University of Australia, India (Amity University Uttar Pradesh), and Bangladesh (Kernel Group).
    • Capacity building to enhance farmers’ capabilities to address the challenges of climate change using Climate Smart Agricultural/Horticultural Strategies

Vision and Future Goals

As a researcher, educator, and consultant, I aim to empower communities and individuals by promoting sustainable agriculture, climate-smart technologies, and innovative agri-food practices. My ultimate goal is to contribute to resilience and prosperity in agriculture-dependent regions worldwide.

I am eager to collaborate with organizations like Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to advance global agricultural and food development initiatives. My extensive experience, combined with a passion for sustainability, positions me to effectively support the mission of fostering food security and resilience.

This member contributed to:

    • The development of the Agrifood System Technologies and Innovation Outlook (ATIO) Knowledge Base marks a significant milestone in agrifood innovation and transformation. The FAO has the potential to provide a reliable and insightful platform for accurate data and innovations, benefiting researchers, businesses, institutions, and both the private and public sectors worldwide.

      While the draft concept has been developed to a high standard with a strong knowledge base, I would like to offer a few suggestions at the country level to further enhance its effectiveness:

      • Ensuring Data Accuracy: In developing countries, the reliability of primary data is critical. It should be collected, screened, and validated by a highly skilled and dedicated FAO team in each respective country. In many cases, data collection in these regions is based on assumptions rather than direct engagement with authentic sources and authorized individuals. Therefore, before analysis and interpretation, it is strongly recommended that data be gathered physically, thoroughly cleaned, and cross-verified with relevant sources.
      • Incorporating All Relevant Data Sources: To ensure comprehensive and representative data collection, insights should be gathered from both the public and private sectors. This includes national statistics departments, ministries, universities, research institutes, regulatory authorities, companies, NGOs, industry associations, individual producers, farming communities, and international bodies. A multi-source approach will enhance the credibility and depth of the knowledge base.
      • Publishing Quantitative Data on a Quarterly or Annual Basis: Providing country-specific data on a quarterly or annual basis would be highly beneficial for researchers and businesses that rely on regularly updated information for their analyses and decision-making.

      These recommendations aim to strengthen the ATIO Knowledge Base’s accuracy, inclusivity, and practical relevance for global stakeholders. 

      Sayed Samiullah Hakimi, Ph.D.

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