Д-р. Sayed Samiullah Hakimi
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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Д-р. Sayed Samiullah Hakimi
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:
These recommendations aim to strengthen the ATIO Knowledge Base’s accuracy, inclusivity, and practical relevance for global stakeholders.
Sayed Samiullah Hakimi, Ph.D.