MATHEW KORIR
Plant Pathologist & Research Extension Officer
Eldoret
Summary
Dynamic Agricultural Biotechnology professional with a robust background in plant pathology, nematology, and agricultural extension services. Adept at conducting field surveys, diagnosing plant diseases, and implementing pest management strategies to enhance agricultural productivity. Experienced in training farmers, leveraging digital tools, and managing sustainable agricultural projects to drive impactful solutions for smallholder farmers. Committed to fostering innovation in agriculture while delivering data-driven insights and practical support for rural communities.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Pathologist
PlantVillage Kenya
01.2024 - Current
- Developed a comprehensive classification system for categorizing pathogens into low, moderate, and high threat levels, enabling farmers to prioritize disease management efforts effectively
- Demonstrated great customer service skills by responding to Farmers' Inquiries and providing timely and accurate responses to farmers' questions regarding crop diseases and management practices through the Plant Village app
- Provided disease diagnosis through analyzing images of crops submitted by farmers to identify the pathogen responsible for the disease
- Exercised Pathogen Classification through categorizing the identified pathogens based on their threat levels and potential impact on crop production
- Provided agronomic advice by implementing effective agronomic management practices to control viral, fungal or bacterial infections in plants
- Increased farmer engagement relations through ensuring I engaged with farmers across Africa with a focus in Malawi and Mozambique, to deliver personalized support for disease management
- Used strong data analysis skills through collecting and analyzing data from farmer interactions and disease reports to identify insights for improved decision-making and targeted interventions
Nematology Project Lead
PlantVillage Kenya
01.2023 - Current
- Set Potato Cyst Nematode Management Irish potato demo plots
- Execute experimental designs and treatments directed by the research team
- Monitor Potato plant health and growth in demo plots
- Apply and assess pest control strategies, recording their effectiveness
- Document nematode damage signs and relevant observations
- Record environmental conditions, including temperature and humidity
- Conduct field days showcasing PCN management practice
Research Extension Associate
PlantVillage-Dream Team Agro Consultancy
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Conducted training sessions for over 50 farmers on agro-economic practices, agribusiness, marketing, and plant disease management
- Linked farmers to cassava seed entrepreneurs, facilitating access to quality planting materials and promoting improved crop production
- Successfully reared and released parasitoids (Telenomus remus and Trichogramma chilonis) for the biological control of Fall Armyworm in ten counties in Kenya
- Monitored and evaluated the effectiveness of parasitoid release, achieving a 15% reduction in Fall Armyworm populations in targeted areas
- Contributed to the IPM project under USAID's Current and Emerging Threats to Crops Innovation Lab (CETC IL), focusing on the use of parasitoids as a biological control measure for Fall Armyworm
- Implemented one of the five integrated pest management (IPM) packages, resulting in a 10% decrease in the reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting sustainable pest management practices
Field Officer
PlantVillage-Dream Team Agro Consultancy Limited
12.2019 - 12.2021
- Successfully provided support to over 100 farmers across Western and Rift Valley Kenya areas through on-field visits, training sessions, and farmer meetings
- Implemented effective disease management strategies resulting in a 10% reduction in crop losses due to viral, fungal, and bacterial infections in targeted crops
- Conducted over 20 training workshops for farmers and local communities, equipping them with knowledge on disease identification, prevention, and control measures
- Gathered and analyzed data from field visits and crop surveys to identify challenges, leading to evidence-based decision-making
- Prepared and submitted accurate and comprehensive field reports on a regular basis, ensuring the timely communication of progress
Interim Official
Moi University
09.2019 - 09.2019
- Participate in setting election timelines
- Provide essential and relevant information to contestants and voters
- Ensure order during campaign rallies, polling and counting of ballots
- Implement guidelines of students’ elections and university management
- Ensure all campaign materials were posted in designated places
- Oversee the nomination of candidates
- Participate in preparation of civic education materials, voters register, ballot papers, and polling stations
- Communicate candidates’ campaign programs, rules and regulations to all stakeholders
- Determine and communicate the rules and regulations governing the nomination process
- Overall management of the elections
- Liaise with appropriate departments and schools when needed
Biotechnology and Research Trainee
Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization
05.2019 - 06.2019
- This involved growing banana plantlets using aseptic techniques
- The process was media preparation, explants preparation, inoculation, sub-culturing, transplanting, steam soil sterilization and hardening nursery management
- Proximate analysis of animal feeds and raw feed materials from feed manufacturers, individual farmers & researchers
- The Analysis uses both wet chemistry and Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIR)
- The qualitative parameters analyzed were, % Crude protein, % Crude fiber, % Dry matter, % Crude oil, % Crude ash, Energy as well as Aflatoxins
- This involved rearing and maintaining nematodes that are being tested as biological controls of horticultural crop pests
- The activities involved were artificial diet preparation, baiting, harvesting counting and separating the sexes
- More than 30 isolates were maintained
- This involved Lab rearing & population maintenance of the Macadamia major pest, Macadamia stink bug (Bathycoelia distincta) & Macadamia minor pest, the Southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula)
- Biological control of macadamia Major pest, Macadamia stink bug Bathycoelia distincta
- This involved collecting and incubation of the Southern green stink bug Nezara viridula eggs the host insect for Trissolcus parasitoids
- (Egg Parasitoids)
- Isolation and inoculation of fungal and bacterial samples and identification of colony morphologies
- Hands on exposure to different procedures in different laboratories
- Learnt how to deal with challenges especially when laboratory analysis turnaround time are set
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Biotechnology
Moi University
Eldoret, Kenya 05.2016 - 08.2020
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E) -
Tambach High School
Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya 01.2012 - 11.2015
Master of Science - Plant Pathology
Moi University
Eldoret, Uasin Gishu, Kenya 04.2001 -
Skills
Great communication Skills
Accomplishments
- Sports manager - Elgeyo Marakwet students association (EMSA)
- Assistant Secretary general - Elgeyo Marakwet students association (EMSA)
- Secretary general - Keiyo university students association (KUSA)
Training
- Project Management Course, 05/23/22, 05/25/22, Hosted by Michigan State University.
- CropNuts Training - Irish Potato Cultivation, 10/30/22
- Basic Soil Health, 10/27/22
- Basic Crash Course in Nematology, 12/13/21, 12/17/21
- Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program), 01/24/21
- EMobilis Mobile Technology Training, 08/01/17
- Stryde Initiative, 01/01/16, 03/31/16
Timeline
Plant Pathologist
PlantVillage Kenya
01.2024 - Current
Nematology Project Lead
PlantVillage Kenya
01.2023 - Current
Research Extension Associate
PlantVillage-Dream Team Agro Consultancy
01.2022 - 01.2023
Field Officer
PlantVillage-Dream Team Agro Consultancy Limited
12.2019 - 12.2021
Interim Official
Moi University
09.2019 - 09.2019
Biotechnology and Research Trainee
Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization
05.2019 - 06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Biotechnology
Moi University
05.2016 - 08.2020
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E) -
Tambach High School
01.2012 - 11.2015
Master of Science - Plant Pathology
Moi University
04.2001 -
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