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Monica Kansiime
Deputy Director, Development and Outreach, Africa
CABI, Canary Bird, 673 Limuru Road, Muthaiga, PO Box 633-00621, Nairobi, Kenya
Qualifications
BSc in Agriculture; MSc in Agricultural Economics; PhD in Agricultural Economics
About
Since joining CABI in 2015, I have gained extensive experience in the agriculture sector, providing strategic leadership, research and development at regional and global levels. As a Research Scientist, I have designed and coordinated objective and high-quality research on identified economic and social issues pertinent to CABI’s projects and programmes with regional significance, to facilitate learning, programme adaptation and evidence-based programming. I have published research in social sciences, market studies, climate change adaptation, agricultural extension, seed and farming systems. I am a seasoned process facilitator, including farmer participatory approaches, multi-stakeholder innovation platforms, beneficiary assessment and participatory impact evaluation.
Currently, I am one of the Global Team Leaders for CABI’s Plantwise Plus programme where I lead workstreams that focus on increasing the supply of safer food through enterprises driven by women and youth to meet growing demand by consumers in rural, urban and peri-urban markets. Prior, I was Coordinator of the Community Action theme under the Action on Invasives programme working with partners in Africa to empower smallholders in the target countries to prevent, detect and control invasive species to reduce crop losses. I was also the lead Scientist in Seed Systems where I supported the implementation of CABI’s Good Seed Initiative in Africa, including providing technical support to seed production, seed commercialization and raising awareness of the importance of high-quality seed.
Before joining CABI, I worked with the Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI) as a Research Associate; the Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD), Oxfam, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA), and Heifer International as Monitoring Evaluation and Learning technical lead.
CABI centre: Kenya
CABI has a regional centre for Africa in Nairobi. Agriculture is essential for sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth and yet average crop yields in Africa are among the lowest in the world. Over 80% rely on it but many face challenges in growing sufficient good quality produce.
Related projects
Ecological intensification of smallholder farms in Kenya
There is limited knowledge on the agronomic potential of biodiversity-based ecosystem services such as natural pest control and pollination in smallholder systems. To sustainably intensify production, there is an urgent need to develop safe, sustainable and affordable methods to reduce pest burdens whilst increasing yields.
Start: 15/11/18 -End: 15/11/19
Addressing scale insect threats in Kenya
In Kenya, scale insect pests are damaging native trees and crops and, consequently, causing yield losses of up-to 91%. Smallholders’ awareness of the threats posed by these insects is low because they are small and cryptic, whilst local entomologists cannot easily identify them.
Start: 01/06/18 -End: 31/03/22
Promoting good seed in East Africa
African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are key to food security and income generation in Africa and are increasing in demand. In this project, not only did CABIs project team promote their consumption and generate more demand, it also built awareness of the vegetables and seeds, improved access to them and developed new varieties.
Start: 01/01/13 -End: 29/02/16