Professional Experience:
I worked under the auspices of CGIAR and UN systems in progressively responsible positions in different areas of seed program/industry development at national, regional and global levels. During this period:
- From 1998 till retirement from FAO in 2009, I provided critical strategic guidance and technical assistance to different member countries of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, including countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the CARICOM region with more than 75% success rate
- Led rice genetic resources based agriculture and community-driven agricultural development activities aimed at creating increased rice productivity and economic growth amongst farming communities of 14 West African countries through rice germplasm exchange and distribution program of WARDA (1974 – 1986);
- Organized structured training programs in germplasm characterization, seed technology and seed industry development at regional levels (WARDA and CARICOM regions). In particular, I established annual PGRFA and seed technology course as part of the subjects offered at the Guyana School of Agriculture, Georgetown, Guyana with more than 80 % success rate.
- Initiated FAO’s Seed Alliance Without Boundary (FAO-SAWIB) aimed at introducing seed value-chain to developing countries through cross-sectorial-cum-cross-boundary collaboration and public-private partnership.
Overall, I possess the ability to analyze complex problems and render comprehensive solutions in categorizing, prioritizing, and planning to solve seed industry and agricultural value-chain problems. Goal-oriented and dedicated individual with the capacity to comprehend, manage, and monitor program/project schedules and timelines for successful accomplishment of established goals.
Experienced in analyzing complex problems of seed production and distribution; providing comprehensive solutions to seed industry and agricultural value-chain problems. Goal-oriented and dedicated individual with the capacity to comprehend, manage, and monitor program/project schedules and timelines for successful accomplishment of established goals.