Dr. Takemore Chagomoka joined icipe on 1 June 2024 as Head of Technology Transfer Unit under the Technology Transfer Unit and is based at the Duduville Campus. Dr. Chagomoka holds PhD from Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg in Germany. His PhD research focused on food and nutrition insecurity risk mapping in urban and periurban areas in West African cities (Tamale and Ouagadougou). He also holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Management, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Management degree, a Diploma in Agriculture, and several on-job-training certificates related to project management, results-based management, and agribusiness management amongst others.
Prior to joining icipe, Dr. Chagomoka worked as a Regional Manager at Seed Co West & Central Africa Ltd, based in Accra, Ghana. His other previous engagements include Production & Postharvest Specialist at World Vegetable Center in Bamako, Mali. He has also worked in Cameroon, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in various capacities.
He is a member of Society of Nutrition and Food Science and is also serving as a board member of TASAI and Mentor of The Tony Elumelu Foundation Mentorship Programme on voluntary basis.
Some of his professional achievements are in the areas of leading the establishment of start-up businesses in Zimbabwe (Pristine Seeds), Mozambique (Semente Perfieta) and Ghana (Seed Co West & Central Africa Ltd). He has received several awards including the PhD scholarship from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in Germany.
His research focus or interest areas are in urban and peri-urban agriculture in developing world, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Socio-spatial dynamics of food and nutritional security in sub-Sahara Africa and effective technology transfer to smallholder farmers in Africa.
Rachel Awuor Owino is the Technology Transfer Officer at the icipe. She is committed to enhancing community livelihoods and driving sustainable development across Sub-Saharan Africa through innovative agricultural solutions.
Rachel joined icipe in 2014 as a Dissemination Officer in the Push-Pull Programme. In this role, she led efforts to promote the widespread adoption of the Push-Pull farming system across East Africa, advancing sustainable agricultural practices and positively impacting the lives of farming communities. In 2017, she transitioned to the Technology Transfer Unit during its re-establishment, where she continues to make significant contributions in her current role.
Prior to joining icipe, Rachel worked as a Project Advisor at Heifer International Kenya, where she provided strategic guidance on rural development projects, fostering community-driven growth and sustainable agricultural practices through Heifer’s values-based development approach.
She has extensive skills in project management and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). She has successfully designed, implemented, and monitored agricultural projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and donor expectations. Her expertise in M&E has been instrumental in tracking project outcomes, evaluating impacts, and driving data-driven decision-making to optimize results.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, Criminology, and Community Development, as well as a Diploma in Agricultural Education and Extension. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies, with a focus on integrating gender perspectives into development initiatives.
She is a member of the African Association of Insect Scientists (AAIS), the Project Management Institute (PMI), and has completed multiple certifications through professional training programs, further refining her expertise in rural development, project management, and technology dissemination.
Some of her professional achievements include the successful introduction and expansion of the Push-Pull farming system beyond East Africa, increasing awareness and adoption of the technology across Sub-Saharan Africa. She has also contributed to research and the scaling of best management options for Fall Armyworm and Fruit Fly Integrated Pest Management (IPM), beekeeping, and insects for food and feed.
Rachel’s research interests focus on rural development and technology scaling. She is particularly passionate about: bridging the gap between innovation and communities, addressing gender disparities in technology access and adoption; and empowering smallholder farmers to adopt sustainable practices and achieve long-term resilience.
Dr. Girma Hailu joined icipe in October 2014 as Research Scientist and Uganda country representative. He is the member of the Technology Transfer Unit providing technical and administrative support to projects being implemented in several African countries. Dr. Hailu holds PhD from Kenyatta University. He also holds two Masters degrees in Agronomy and Environmental science and advanced diploma in Project management from Vilanova University, USA and short-term study visit to the University of Bayreuth in Germany. He also obtained several on-job-training certificates related to Integrated pest management, Natural resources management, Participatory action research etc.
Prior to joining icipe, Dr. Hailu worked as a Program Manager for Farm Radio International based in Ottawa, Canada. In this capacity he was providing technical leadership to the African Farm Radio Research Initiative implemented in Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Tanzania and Uganda. He also worked as Project manager for the African Highlands Initiative based in Uganda coordinating research projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. He was affiliated with the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) with the east and central African Regional team based in Kenya. In his early carrier he was affiliated with the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO) based in Ethiopia. Dr. Hailu has experience of working in Canada, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
His research focus is on adaptive research to respond to challenges of technology adoption by small-holder farmers. He is passionate about community level integration of agricultural innovations through applying holistic approach.
Winnie Belyon joined icipe in April 2023 as a Business Support Officer-Administrator. Winnie is a highly motivated and results-oriented professional with a strong focus on organizational success. Currently serving as a Business Support Officer-Administrator under the Technology Transfer Unit at icipe, she brings extensive experience in business support, project management, and customer relations. She excels at managing multiple tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining high-quality standards.
Winnie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kenyatta University and an Advanced Diploma in Project Management from the Nairobi Institute of Business Studies. Throughout her career, she has held key roles, including Fulfillment Officer at Market Force Technologies and Merchant Acquisition Associate at Elivalat Fintech. Winnie has also gained valuable experience through internships at Uwezo Fund Oversight Board and Kenya Pipeline Company, contributing to strategic planning, data analysis, loan processing, and risk management initiatives.
Known for her excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, Winnie thrives in collaborative environments and is passionate about continuous learning, volunteer work, and activities that foster both personal and professional growth.
Nathan is currently employed as a Research Officer in icipe Uganda country office. He has been employed with the organization since 2017 previously working as a data analyst and Research technician for various icipe programs across different countries. Nathan holds a Master of Management Studies-Monitoring and Evaluation and a Bachelor of Economics and Statistics. He has vast experience in data management and extensive Knowledge of innovative approaches, capacity building and use of participatory methodologies in Agriculture and other fields.
Mary Constance Wasemwa holds a bachelor’s degree in arts in Economics and supports various initiatives implemented by icipe in Uganda since September 2022. Her work focuses on finance reviews and coordinating the ROBUST Coffee Agroforestry project platform with project Principal Investigators (PIs) and accountants, alongside her roles in the Technology Transfer Unit.
Allan Nsubuga has been a Research Assistant under the Technology Transfer Unit at icipe since 2014. He supports activities across all Uganda operations, including assisting scientists and research officials in technology and innovation dissemination, data collection and entry, fleet management, facilitating trainings, and providing office operations support.
Research Assistant
