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Published on 10/14/24

Peanut IL adds project managers in Malawi

By Allison Floyd

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab is adding two new project managers to the team in Malawi.

Norah Titiya Machinjiri Kaula will focus on agronomy and tricot trials, while Wills Mbiriyawaka Munthali will focus on variety trials and seed production. They join Linda Chinangwa, who manages the lab’s social science work in the country.

Wills Mbiriyawaka Munthali

With a master’s degree in crop science (plant breeding) from the University of Malawi-Bunda College of Agriculture in 2004, Wills Munthali has worked for 20 years to develop and deploy improved varieties and cropping systems. In addition to disease resistance and yield improvements, his work focused on fighting aflatoxin contamination and helping famers become more productivity to improve food and nutrition security in southern Africa, as well as increase their own incomes. Contact Wills Munthali. 

Norah Titiya Machinjiri Kaula

Kaula is an in-country manager for the Innovation Lab’s portfolio of agronomy projects in Malawi.

 A specialist in climate adaptation, she holds a master’s degree in Climate-Smart Agriculture from Haramaya University’s Africa Centre of Excellence for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, and a bachelor’s degree in education-science from the University of Malawi.

She has experience in research to improve productivity in crops important to food security, and in training extension woprkers and farmers in climate- smart production practices and integrated pest and disease management.

“My major career goal is to contribute towards the transformation of global agriculture and food systems so that agriculture becomes a rewarding venture for all value-chain actors and that sustainable food security is attained,” she said. “I am a self-driven individual passionate about seeing the achievement of sustainable global food and nutrition security.” Contact Norah Kaula.

Allison Floyd is the PR coordinator for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut, which is headquartered at UGA.

Authors:
Allison Floyd
Experts/Sources:
Dave Hoisington
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