The Team
Michael Makokha (PhD) – Director, Business Development
Dr. Makokha is a specialist in Agricultural Policy & Development, Research & Development, Environmental Planning and Natural Resource Management, Disaster Risk Management/Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Coordination and Networking with 22 years experience in development work and research. He has worked for various organizations including KARI, FAO and Ministry of Environment. He has undertaken many consultancies in the areas of Agricultural Development, Water & Environment. Mr. Makokha has published in renowned research and development journals.
Dr. Makokha is a specialist in Agricultural Policy & Development, Research & Development, Environmental Planning and Natural Resource Management, Disaster Risk Management/Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Coordination and Networking with 22 years experience in development work and research. He has worked for various organizations including KARI, FAO and Ministry of Environment. He has undertaken many consultancies in the areas of Agricultural Development, Water & Environment. Mr. Makokha has published in renowned research and development journals.
Shemdoe Riziki Silas (PhD) - Director FASI Tanzania
Dr. Shemdoe is a Natural Resources Management for Sustainable Agriculture Expert with over 11 years of experience in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. He is a senior lecturer/ researcher at Ardhi University Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Dr Shemdoe has undertaken various consultancies in the areas of: Socio-economic analysis, assessments, feasibility studies, baseline surveys, Developing policy briefs on various socio-economic sectors, Participatory monitoring and evaluation, Governance, Policy Formulation Processes and Climate change related institutional and coordination, Programme Proposal Development, Mapping and Capacity Assessment, Terminal Project and Mainstreamed cross cutting issues evaluations in Tanzania and the East African region.He has extensively published on Agriculture and Natural resources management in Tanzania in renowned journals, and is involved in continuous research in sustainable agricultural development and natural resource management with various research institutions in Tanzania.
Dr. Shemdoe is a Natural Resources Management for Sustainable Agriculture Expert with over 11 years of experience in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. He is a senior lecturer/ researcher at Ardhi University Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Dr Shemdoe has undertaken various consultancies in the areas of: Socio-economic analysis, assessments, feasibility studies, baseline surveys, Developing policy briefs on various socio-economic sectors, Participatory monitoring and evaluation, Governance, Policy Formulation Processes and Climate change related institutional and coordination, Programme Proposal Development, Mapping and Capacity Assessment, Terminal Project and Mainstreamed cross cutting issues evaluations in Tanzania and the East African region.He has extensively published on Agriculture and Natural resources management in Tanzania in renowned journals, and is involved in continuous research in sustainable agricultural development and natural resource management with various research institutions in Tanzania.
Dulla Hamisi Mzoba- Director; Finance and Administration
Mr. Mzoba is an agricultural and natural resource management expert with over 14 years of experience in coordinating and networking of multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional host government and development partners’ supported food security projects. He is specialised in conservation agriculture, farming systems and natural resource management for sustainable agriculture development. He has worked for various development organizations including FAO, African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT), VI-Agroforestry Project, Anglican Church of Tanzania (ACT) and Simon Vestdijkstraat 14/ 6708 NW Wageningen-The Netherlands. He holds a MSc degree in Natural Resource Management and has undertaken various consultancy assignments in the fields of water, environment and conservation agriculture.
Mr. Mzoba is an agricultural and natural resource management expert with over 14 years of experience in coordinating and networking of multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional host government and development partners’ supported food security projects. He is specialised in conservation agriculture, farming systems and natural resource management for sustainable agriculture development. He has worked for various development organizations including FAO, African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT), VI-Agroforestry Project, Anglican Church of Tanzania (ACT) and Simon Vestdijkstraat 14/ 6708 NW Wageningen-The Netherlands. He holds a MSc degree in Natural Resource Management and has undertaken various consultancy assignments in the fields of water, environment and conservation agriculture.
Joel Mollel – Senior Consultant
Mr. Mollel is a program development and management, as well as resource mobilization specialist. He is experienced in Proposal Development/Fundraising and has provided services in proposal writing, project management, budgeting and costing, donor contracts and grants for EU, DFID, USAID, CDC, DANIDA, CIDA, JICA among others. Mr. Mollel has provided in-country technical assistance in management systems, evaluations of projects/programs, project design, management and implementation, work plan development, start-up and back-stopping of projects in the East and Horn of Africa. He has also undertaken various consultancy assignments especially in resource mobilization, gender and development. Mr. Mollel is a holder of MSC in Rural Development.
Mr. Mollel is a program development and management, as well as resource mobilization specialist. He is experienced in Proposal Development/Fundraising and has provided services in proposal writing, project management, budgeting and costing, donor contracts and grants for EU, DFID, USAID, CDC, DANIDA, CIDA, JICA among others. Mr. Mollel has provided in-country technical assistance in management systems, evaluations of projects/programs, project design, management and implementation, work plan development, start-up and back-stopping of projects in the East and Horn of Africa. He has also undertaken various consultancy assignments especially in resource mobilization, gender and development. Mr. Mollel is a holder of MSC in Rural Development.
Alfred Nyambane – Senior Consultant
Mr. Nyambane holds an Msc in Environmental Science (Agro-forestry and Rural Development) and a Bsc. in Environmental Sciences. He is knowledgeable and experienced in community development, agriculture, forestry and climate change adaptation and mitigation projects. He has skills in data collection, compilation and analysis and has also crop modeling experience using Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT). He worked on a Soybean project in determining the genetic coefficients and the Agro- ecological potential of dual purpose soybean varieties for up-scaling in Kenya, whose findings have been published in re-known journals. Mr. Nyambane has also done a lot of work on solid waste management, drainage and sanitation in informal human settlements in Kenya. He has actively participated in the streamlining of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) filing system and development of a database for Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Environmental Audits. He has led a team to conduct a baseline survey on palm oil in Western Kenya and mushroom in Central Kenya with Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). Mr. Nyambane was also significantly involved in the collection of data on the status of Northern Kenya and other Arid and Semiarid Lands and also the drafting of the status Report for the Ministry of State on Northern Kenya and other Arid and Semiarid Lands with Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). He is a registered Lead Expert with NEMA and is currently a consultant on various Environmental and Developmental issues.
Mr. Nyambane holds an Msc in Environmental Science (Agro-forestry and Rural Development) and a Bsc. in Environmental Sciences. He is knowledgeable and experienced in community development, agriculture, forestry and climate change adaptation and mitigation projects. He has skills in data collection, compilation and analysis and has also crop modeling experience using Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT). He worked on a Soybean project in determining the genetic coefficients and the Agro- ecological potential of dual purpose soybean varieties for up-scaling in Kenya, whose findings have been published in re-known journals. Mr. Nyambane has also done a lot of work on solid waste management, drainage and sanitation in informal human settlements in Kenya. He has actively participated in the streamlining of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) filing system and development of a database for Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Environmental Audits. He has led a team to conduct a baseline survey on palm oil in Western Kenya and mushroom in Central Kenya with Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). Mr. Nyambane was also significantly involved in the collection of data on the status of Northern Kenya and other Arid and Semiarid Lands and also the drafting of the status Report for the Ministry of State on Northern Kenya and other Arid and Semiarid Lands with Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). He is a registered Lead Expert with NEMA and is currently a consultant on various Environmental and Developmental issues.
Steven Ndanda – Consultant –Operations Manager- FASI Kenya
Mr. Ndanda is an Agricultural Business Development and Marketing Economist with over 10 years experience in international markets, business practices and trade regulations in development of agri-business public- private sector partnerships, Project strategic planning, project development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, Liaison, networking and partnership development, Financial management, budget management, system development and reporting. He has proven track record of developing complex clients business plans, Strong agri-business financial analysis, problem solving and business skills, Good interpersonal/ people management skills, excellent oral and written communication, Strong private sector experience and entrepreneurial skills. Mr. Ndanda has undertaken a number of consultancy assignments including: Multi-Stakeholder Evaluation of Agriculture and Livestock Value Chain Activities in Kenya, Comprehensive Analysis of Edible Oil seeds Sector in East Africa, Strengthening Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change in Kenya. Mr. Ndanda is a holder of Bsc. in Agricultural Economics.
Mr. Ndanda is an Agricultural Business Development and Marketing Economist with over 10 years experience in international markets, business practices and trade regulations in development of agri-business public- private sector partnerships, Project strategic planning, project development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, Liaison, networking and partnership development, Financial management, budget management, system development and reporting. He has proven track record of developing complex clients business plans, Strong agri-business financial analysis, problem solving and business skills, Good interpersonal/ people management skills, excellent oral and written communication, Strong private sector experience and entrepreneurial skills. Mr. Ndanda has undertaken a number of consultancy assignments including: Multi-Stakeholder Evaluation of Agriculture and Livestock Value Chain Activities in Kenya, Comprehensive Analysis of Edible Oil seeds Sector in East Africa, Strengthening Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change in Kenya. Mr. Ndanda is a holder of Bsc. in Agricultural Economics.
Buyu Gertrude Earnestine Osore – Senior Consultant
Ms. Buyu is a passionate extension specialist, recognized by UN -FAO and International Non-Governmental Organizations as an international facilitator for Livestock and Farmer Field School participatory extension approaches. Ms Buyu has authored manuals on Farmer Field School (FFS) that have been used to widely build capacity for farmer mobilization, knowledge sharing, innovation and use of appropriate technologies among agro-pastoral and smallholder dairy based livelihood in African countries and Pakistan. As a consultant Ms Buyu has undertaken assignments for ACTION AID International (Kenya), Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, IFAD, DANIDA, Veterinary San Frontiers Belgium, Suisse, and Save the Children UK. Her main role has been building capacity for improving extension processes. Ms Buyu has also researched and published in reknowned journals in various areas of community development in East and Southern Africa. Ms. Buyu is a holder of MSc in Agriculture.
Ms. Buyu is a passionate extension specialist, recognized by UN -FAO and International Non-Governmental Organizations as an international facilitator for Livestock and Farmer Field School participatory extension approaches. Ms Buyu has authored manuals on Farmer Field School (FFS) that have been used to widely build capacity for farmer mobilization, knowledge sharing, innovation and use of appropriate technologies among agro-pastoral and smallholder dairy based livelihood in African countries and Pakistan. As a consultant Ms Buyu has undertaken assignments for ACTION AID International (Kenya), Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, IFAD, DANIDA, Veterinary San Frontiers Belgium, Suisse, and Save the Children UK. Her main role has been building capacity for improving extension processes. Ms Buyu has also researched and published in reknowned journals in various areas of community development in East and Southern Africa. Ms. Buyu is a holder of MSc in Agriculture.
Anke Weisheit - Senior Consultant
Ms. Weisheit Agricultural Resource Management and Agro-business marketing & management expert. Ms. Weisheit has over 22 years of experience in curriculum development & training, Private sector development, business plan development, Advisory services to small enterprises, corporate identity and institutional development, poverty reduction impact assessments, project planning and design, programme Coordination and Networking for development partners’ supported food security, early warning systems, climate change, policy, development initiatives. Her work and publications span a variety of interrelated sustainable management and development issues and, in particular, curriculum development for capacity building of small holder farmers livelihood advancement; sustainable management of natural resource; formulation of research and development project; implementation of research and development projects and programmes, and; development of frameworks for sustainable management of natural resources for the past 20 years in east and southern Africa as well as in Europe and United States. Ms. Weisheitis PhD Research Fellow and holds a Masters Degree in Agricultural Science and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics. - Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University; Bonn, Germany (1997 – 2001), Bachelors degree in Agricultural Trading-Agro-business marketing & management. - Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburg, Germany (1992 – 1994), Bachelors Degree in Agro-chemistry and Plant Protection Technician- Engineer School of Agro-chemistry & Plant Protection, Halle, Germany, (1989 – 1992), Diploma in Horticulture, Vegetable & Ornamental Plants-State Nursery, Zella Mehlis, Germany (1986-1988).
Ms. Weisheit Agricultural Resource Management and Agro-business marketing & management expert. Ms. Weisheit has over 22 years of experience in curriculum development & training, Private sector development, business plan development, Advisory services to small enterprises, corporate identity and institutional development, poverty reduction impact assessments, project planning and design, programme Coordination and Networking for development partners’ supported food security, early warning systems, climate change, policy, development initiatives. Her work and publications span a variety of interrelated sustainable management and development issues and, in particular, curriculum development for capacity building of small holder farmers livelihood advancement; sustainable management of natural resource; formulation of research and development project; implementation of research and development projects and programmes, and; development of frameworks for sustainable management of natural resources for the past 20 years in east and southern Africa as well as in Europe and United States. Ms. Weisheitis PhD Research Fellow and holds a Masters Degree in Agricultural Science and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics. - Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University; Bonn, Germany (1997 – 2001), Bachelors degree in Agricultural Trading-Agro-business marketing & management. - Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburg, Germany (1992 – 1994), Bachelors Degree in Agro-chemistry and Plant Protection Technician- Engineer School of Agro-chemistry & Plant Protection, Halle, Germany, (1989 – 1992), Diploma in Horticulture, Vegetable & Ornamental Plants-State Nursery, Zella Mehlis, Germany (1986-1988).
Alex Ariho – Senior Cosultant
Alex is an active Business and Development consultant associated with Local and International Business and Development Organizations in Africa .He is currently a representative of Private sector International committee for African Union department of Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) and Representative of Private sector on Africa Agriculture Advisory Services forum (AFAAS). He is senior associate Consultant in project planning and Management with Uganda Management Institute (UMI) and Visiting Lecturer. He has worked for International Center for Research in Agro forestry (ICRAF), United Nations Development Programme and Africa 2000 Network Uganda (A2N), World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) and Nature Uganda in Senior projects management and administration positions as well as a part time Visiting Lecturer in reknowned Public and Private Universities in East Africa including Makerere University, Management Training and Advisory Center (MTAC) and Uganda Management Institute (UMI) among others. Alex is PhD Research Fellow and holds a Masters Degree in Development Studies, Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Diploma in project planning and management, Diploma in Business Administration and Finance, Certificate in Public Administration and Management, Certificate in Enterprise Development and Pro Poor Value Chain development, Certificate in Biodiversity impact assessment and Monitoring, Certificate in Participatory Forestry Management and other relevant on job trainings.
Alex is an active Business and Development consultant associated with Local and International Business and Development Organizations in Africa .He is currently a representative of Private sector International committee for African Union department of Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) and Representative of Private sector on Africa Agriculture Advisory Services forum (AFAAS). He is senior associate Consultant in project planning and Management with Uganda Management Institute (UMI) and Visiting Lecturer. He has worked for International Center for Research in Agro forestry (ICRAF), United Nations Development Programme and Africa 2000 Network Uganda (A2N), World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) and Nature Uganda in Senior projects management and administration positions as well as a part time Visiting Lecturer in reknowned Public and Private Universities in East Africa including Makerere University, Management Training and Advisory Center (MTAC) and Uganda Management Institute (UMI) among others. Alex is PhD Research Fellow and holds a Masters Degree in Development Studies, Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Diploma in project planning and management, Diploma in Business Administration and Finance, Certificate in Public Administration and Management, Certificate in Enterprise Development and Pro Poor Value Chain development, Certificate in Biodiversity impact assessment and Monitoring, Certificate in Participatory Forestry Management and other relevant on job trainings.
George Onyango Otieno – Senior Consultant
Mr. Otieno is an Agri-business development, management and marketing expert with over 10 years work experience. He has previously held the position of Country Director-SEEDCO Ltd-Kenya and Tanzania and is the current Managing Director –Wakalla Africa, a seed merchant company serving the whole of East African region. He has undertaken consultancy assignments in the following areas: Agri-business value chain development/marketing systems; Organizational capacity building for farmer groups; Farm inspection and evaluation; Environmental impact assessment; Organizational/Institutional development; developing monitoring systems; Evaluation of Projects. Mr. Otieno is a holder of MBA in Strategic Planning and Management and MSC in Agricultural Economics.
Mr. Otieno is an Agri-business development, management and marketing expert with over 10 years work experience. He has previously held the position of Country Director-SEEDCO Ltd-Kenya and Tanzania and is the current Managing Director –Wakalla Africa, a seed merchant company serving the whole of East African region. He has undertaken consultancy assignments in the following areas: Agri-business value chain development/marketing systems; Organizational capacity building for farmer groups; Farm inspection and evaluation; Environmental impact assessment; Organizational/Institutional development; developing monitoring systems; Evaluation of Projects. Mr. Otieno is a holder of MBA in Strategic Planning and Management and MSC in Agricultural Economics.