Karwara Agatha Kinya
Mombasa
Summary
Results-oriented plant inspector specializing in pest risk analysis, phytosanitary certification, and facility audits. Demonstrates expertise in ensuring compliance through effective pest surveillance, enhancing phytosanitary practices and quality assurance.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Plant Inspector
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Mombasa
04.2021 - Current
- Managed National Performance Trials and Distinctiveness, Uniformity, and Stability tests.
- Executed pest surveillance to ensure phytosanitary compliance and conducted pest risk analysis for import certification.
- Performed post-seed certification surveys to assess quality standards and trained seed merchants on best practices.
- Conducted facility audits for compliance with ISPM 15 regulations and inspected plant materials for import/export requirements.
- Inspected seedling nurseries to guarantee clean seedlings for farmers and undertook farm audits for export plants.
- Maintained accurate records through data entry, database management, and report writing.
- Issued phytosanitary certificates and plant import permits while participating in plant health clinics and farmer training programs.
Part-time Lecturer
Mount Kenya University
Meru
05.2018 - 12.2019
- Delivered lectures on post-harvest physiology, food value addition, farm management, and accounting.
- Evaluated assignments, essays, and exams while providing individualized feedback to students.
- Participated in departmental and faculty meetings to discuss academic initiatives.
- Compiled reading materials to support class assignments and enhance student learning.
Research student: Maize breeding
University of Ibadan
Ibadan
02.2016 - 02.2018
- Conducted site selection, seed preparation, planting, and management of Shrunken-2 maize inbred lines.
- Developed inbred lines through selfing while maintaining genetic stock via spatial and temporal isolation.
- Scored plant uniformity and foliar disease to identify optimal parent plants.
- Collected field data for inbred lines and Shrunken-2 maize hybrid evaluation.
- Produced Shrunken-2 hybrid seeds through controlled crosses with male and female parent pollination.
- Harvested and processed seeds to select potential parents based on field data.
- Executed seed storage, germination testing, and pericarp integrity testing in laboratory settings.
Consulting Field Officer
Micropreneur Consult
Meru
03.2015 - 01.2016
- Trained farmers on alternative crops and pest management strategies tailored to local conditions.
- Provided training to interns on data entry and documentation of research findings.
- Conducted meetings with stakeholders to discuss project updates and gather input.
- Compiled detailed reports summarizing fieldwork findings and insights.
- Presented research outcomes to management, clients, and relevant parties for review.
Agronomist
Bhundia Associates Consulting Engineers
Nairobi
09.2013 - 01.2015
- Developed innovative farming techniques for Karia Irrigation Scheme to enhance crop diversity.
- Assisted in selecting plants and creating irrigation schedules to maximize income.
- Generated comprehensive reports detailing findings from field work.
- Presented research findings to stakeholders, clients, and involved parties to drive informed decisions.
Field attachment
Winchester Farm, Sian Roses
Nairobi
05.2012 - 08.2012
- Executed propagation, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and packaging of rose flowers.
- Assisted with biological pest control application and multiplication techniques.
- Documented flower transport to pack house and airport for distribution.
- Applied post-harvest handling methods to enhance shelf life of rose flowers.
- Implemented water recycling and purification processes utilizing other plants on farm.
- Contributed to departmental report generation and delivered presentations to institution.
Education
MSc. - Plant Breeding
University of Ibadan (PAULESI)
Ibadan, Nigeria02-2018
B.Sc. - Horticulture (Hons)
University of Eldoret
Eldoret, Kenya12-2013
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Kaaga Girls High School
Kenya11-2007
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education -
Bishop Lawrence Bessone Primary School
Kenya12-2003
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Statistical analysis software
- Breeding management systems
- Open Data Kit (ODK)
- International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs)
- SPS training
- Pest risk assessment
- Phytosanitary certification
- Plant pest identification
- Proposal development
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Analytical skills
- Report writing
- Presentation skills
- Team collaboration
- Independent work
Short Courses Attended
- Training on field release and performance monitoring of Biological control agents (acerophagus papayae)
- Computer application training on Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email and Internet
- Breeding Management system (BMS) software for data analysis
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Preparatory course for proposal writing skills
References
- Mr. Frederick Koome, Deputy Director, KEPHIS Mombasa, (+254) 722560936, makathima@kephis.org
- Prof. Victor Adetimirin, Coordinator, Plant breeding programme, PAU, (+234) 8036513929, votimirin@yahoo.com
- Dr. James Kirimana, Mount Kenya University, (+254) 721484633, kirimijk@yahoo.com
Languages
- English
- Swahili
Skills Competencies Assignments
- Good command of the office suite (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint) and knowledge of statistical packages
- Training on computer packages and consistent use of the applications
- Breeding Management System Software training for data analysis
- Use of mobile tools such as Open Data Kit (ODK) for data collection
- Technical competence in application of ISPMs on daily activities in line with KEPHIS mandate
- Completed SPS training on inspection, pest risk analysis, phytosanitary certification, Plant pest ID systems and SPS agreement
- Hands on application of ISPM 02, 06, 07, 12, 15, 23 and 38
- Good skills in Pest Risk Analysis (PRA)
- Good Proposal development skills
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Good analytical skills
- Report writing and Presentational skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team while maintaining consistency in the quality of output
Personal Information
- ID Number: 27694091
- Date of Birth: 05/06/89
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Marital Status: Married
Affiliations
- Traveling and reading
Languages
English
First Language
Swahili
Proficient (C2)
C2
French
Beginner (A1)
A1
Certification
- Pest risk analysis, January 26, 2023
- The IPPC and the standard setting process, January 26, 2023
- Phytosanitary treatments for agricultural commodities, January 24, 2023
- Pest Free Concepts, January 24, 2023
- Pest risk communication, January 23, 2023
- Breeding Management System (BMS) software, August 18, 2017
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Preparatory Course, December 19, 2017
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Plant Inspector
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
04.2021 - Current
Part-time Lecturer
Mount Kenya University
05.2018 - 12.2019
Research student: Maize breeding
University of Ibadan
02.2016 - 02.2018
Consulting Field Officer
Micropreneur Consult
03.2015 - 01.2016
Agronomist
Bhundia Associates Consulting Engineers
09.2013 - 01.2015
Field attachment
Winchester Farm, Sian Roses
05.2012 - 08.2012
MSc. - Plant Breeding
University of Ibadan (PAULESI)
B.Sc. - Horticulture (Hons)
University of Eldoret
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Kaaga Girls High School
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education -
Bishop Lawrence Bessone Primary School
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