Management Team

James A. Okeno is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of AGTECH Consulting Ltd (AGTECH). He combines knowledge in Crop Science (Plant Breeding/Agronomy), Biotechnology and Policy issues related to agricultural research and development. James is a Plant Breeder and Geneticist with a PhD from the University of Giessen, Germany, MSc (Crop Science/Plant Breeding) and BSc Agriculture, both from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

From February 2021, James is Regional Regulatory Consultant – Africa for Oxitec Ltd, Abingdon, UK. From November 2019 to February 2021, James was Regulatory and Government Affairs Consultant – Africa for Pivot Bio Inc., Berkeley, California, USA. From August 2 013 to November 2019, James was Product Stewardship Manager at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in Nairobi, Kenya, where he spearheaded the development and implementation of Stewardship and Insect Resistance Management (IRM) plans that guided the testing, deployment and commercialization of conventional and transgenic products. From April 2012 to July 2013, James was the Associate Director and Business Manager at the Africa Union Development Agency – New Partnership for African Development (AUDA-NEPAD)’s African Biosafety Network of Expertise (ABNE) based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. While at ABNE, James often conducted trainings to African Biosafety Regulators in Risk Assessment (RA) of biotech products.

From July 2008 to April 2012, James was Policy and Research Associate at the Seed Science Center, Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, USA. While at ISU, he was part of the team that initiated the Seed Enterprise Management Institute (SEMIs) at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Services (CAVS ) in Kabete Campus.

SEMIs, an Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)-funded collaborative project between the University of Nairobi, Iowa State University, and CIMMYT enhanced the capacity of African start-up seed companies in seed technology. Between 2005 and 2008, James was Director Regulatory Affairs of the Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) Project at the Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International (Africa Harvest), where he was instrumental in the development of Kenya’s National Biotechnology Policy 2006 and its subsequent Biosafety Act 2009. James began his career as a Lecturer in 1999 and later Senior Lecturer at Chepkoilel Campus (current University of Eldoret) of Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya, where he taught Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Research Methods for 7 years.

Michael M. Njuguna is the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) at AGTECH Consulting Ltd (AGTECH). Michael is a successful international development professional with twenty-five years of rich experience in programme and institutional leadership, financial management, administration, human resources development, agri-business development, grantmaking, resource mobilization, alliance building and networking, project management, agricultural research management, training, and mentorship at a senior level. Michael works as a Consultant with the World Bank, Nairobi office, providing technical advisory and support in marketing, value chain development, and producer organizations to implement the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) and Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP).

Both projects are Government of Kenya initiatives funded by the World Bank/ International Development Association (IDA) and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation (MoALF&I) in 45 counties. Before joining the World Bank, Michael held several positions at Africa Harvest, a US-based, Africa-focused NGO involved in agricultural technology transfer. He worked as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Director Food and Nutritional Security Programmes, Director Finance, and Business Development.

Michael has vast experience designing and implementing appropriate enterprise development models that facilitate resource marginalized households to access technologies, training, microfinance, markets, inputs, information, and technical assistance. He has managed projects supporting farmers in Africa to adopt and grow crops resilient to adverse climatic conditions. He has also worked with communities to protect fragile ecosystems by rehabilitating degraded landscapes through soil and water conservation, soil fertility management, and the promotion of agroforestry.

Michael has also been involved in all aspects of institutional financial management, including but not limited to the preparation of financial statements in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS); supporting project teams in preparing budgets estimates, disbursement forecasts, annual Work Plan of the project; and periodic financial reports. Prior to joining Africa Harvest, he held the position of Programme Administrator at the International Service for Acquisition of Agri Biotech Applications (ISAAA AfriCenter) in Nairobi.

His research interest includes technology development and transfer, agricultural-nutritional linkages in the African smallholder farm sector, and assessing models of scaling up the adoption of agricultural innovations. He has published in peer-reviewed journals. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship Development (Kenyatta University and JKUAT Kenya, respectively); Post-graduate Certified Diploma in Finance and Accounting (CDipAF) [UK’s Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)], B.Sc. (University of Nairobi).

Joshua O. Ogendo is the Director, Technical and Field Operations (DTFO) of AGTECH Consulting Ltd (AGTECH). He has expertise in agronomic and crop protection evaluations, biostatistics and bioassay guided development of botanical pesticides. Joshua is an Agronomist-cum- Crop Protectionist with a PhD from Egerton University, Kenya, MSc Grain Storage Management from the University of Greenwich, UK, MSc Agronomy and BSc Agriculture, both from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

He is also an Associate Professor of Crop Protection and Director, Crop Management Research Training at Egerton University, Kenya. Between October 2014 and November 2018, Joshua served as the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture at Egerton University, Kenya. From January 2009 to October 2014, Joshua was the Head, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils at Egerton University, Kenya, where he spearheaded the development, review and implementation of academic programs and guiding research, community outreach and consultancy initiatives in smallholder agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa. \

During his 3 decades of scholarly and community engagements, Joshua has mastered farmer participatory diagnosis of field pests (insects, weeds) and diseases, and soil related problems, development, testing, validation and commercialization appropriate products and technologies. From July 1997 to 2021, Joshua has risen through the ranks to serve in the positions of Assistant Lecturer (July 1997- Nov.2002), Lecturer (Nov. 2002- April. 2009), Senior Lecturer (April 2009-April 2013) and Associate Professor (April 2013-Present) during which time he has published 40 scientific publications; 3 book chapters/editorial, and 7 M & E and consultancy assignments.

Joshua has been Leader and Collaborator in over 30 research grants, community projects and consultancies in agronomic, stored products and pesticide sciences supported by various development partners such as World Bank, The MasterCard Foundation, CIMMYT, Bayer EA Ltd, USAID, African Union, European Commission, Rockefeller Foundation and BBSRC-GCRF among others. Joshua is currently the Interim President, International Society of Pesticidal Plants and Chair, Pesticidal Plant Technologies Network (PEPTEN), Kenya. Finally, Joshua is a renowned scholar-cum- community change agent with networks in Africa, Europe, USA, China and North America.