Research Interest and Profile The national goal in Kenya on food policy is to realize increased quality and diversified food production through adaptability trials and subsequent release of elite plant genotypes suitable for local Agroecosystems. In this regard four NERICA (rice) cultivars have been released and disseminated to farmers for production under rainfed and supplementary irrigation. The development of African Indigenous Vegetables for their high micronutrient in diets and conservation of biodiversity is key to enhanced productivity and sustainability of sufficient and affordable secure food and nutrition for a growing population. As research and development consortium, we explore user friendly technologies that contribute to national growth in the devolved governance system and to remain a united sovereign country, which is relevant in global research for development and knowledge creation anchored on the three pillars of Kenya Vision 2030. The current research is on the Carbon dioxide sequestration for climate resilient crop production and global warming mitigation.

Profile: Prof. J.C. Onyango was born in 1958 in Bondo, Kenya. He learnt through Kenya education system (schools and university) up to M.Sc. degree qualification in 1985. Joined University of Nairobi in 1986 as Assistant Lecturer and graduated with PhD 1989 from University of Sussex, United Kingdom. He Moved to Maseno University in 1991 to start the department of Botany. Ascended through academic ranks to become Professor of plant physiology in 2001 followed by delivery of inaugural Lecture on ”Rice a Crop for Wealth Creation: Productivity and Prospects in Kenya’s Food Security”. Chairman, department of Botany 1991 to 2001; Maseno University Liaison Officer to World Bank-Universities Project 2309 Ke, 1992 - 2001. Prof. Onyango was Elected Dean, Faculty of Science from June 2004 to July 2008, Maseno University. Appointed Chairman, Kenya National Rice Technical Committee; Director, Lake Basin Development Authority, Board of Management Member of Bondo Teachers College, Maranda National School, Nyang’oma High School, Usenge High School and St. Mary School for the Deaf, Nyang’oma. Prof. J.C. Onyango have participated in joint research activities with University of Bayreuth, University of Bonn and University of Koblenz, Germany from 1990 to date, University of Sussex and University of London – ex-Wye College, United Kingdom 1995, Louisiana State University - Rice Research Station, Crowley, USA 1998, AICAD-JICA, Kenya 2004 to 2015, Nagoya University and Kobe University, Japan from 2006 to date. He has also worked with; Japan Institute of Irrigation and development 2018 to 2019, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Duarte, California, USA, and Japan Society for Promotion of Science, East African as Steering Committee member 2017 to date. Prof. Onyango is still active in teaching, graduate students’ research supervision, community service delivery, biodiversity conservation, research, consultancy and national development. Prof. J.C. has published several paper in peer reviewed Journals besides attending and participating in National, Regional and International Conferences.