AGRA

By Liston Njoroge

Please tell us more about your professional role at AGRA

I am the Country Program Lead (CPL) for AGRA Uganda. In that role, I am responsible for working with partners in the private sector, government, research organizations, and others to prioritize the constraints our smallholder farmers and other value chain actors face and design interventions that unblock these constraints and open opportunities for our target clients to thrive. My driving motivation is that I can be an agent for catalyzing the attainment of AGRA’s development outcomes, which include increasing farmers’ income, food security, and resilience. In summary, my current role at AGRA is to support the development of a strong country program for Uganda that addresses the critical binding constraints to food systems transformation and unlocks opportunities for our target clients to survive and thrive.

How did you get involved in the Country Programme Lead (CPL) job?

The CPL job was a gratifying and fulfilling transition from my previous role as a Program Officer (PO) based at our Dar es Salaam office. I say gratifying and fulfilling because, for the last couple of years, I have aspired to get a promotion to senior program officer. Even though I had the confidence and support of my previous manager, who firmly believed a promotion for me was timely and well deserved, that aspiration was slow to come. The big break came when the new organizational structure for implementing strategy 3.0. came out. I saw the opportunity presented by the new CPL positions, applied, got shortlisted, and was interviewed. I was successful in the interview, and soon, an appointment letter came.

How have you settled in Uganda after a stint in Tanzania? How is the language transitioning?

Transitioning from Tanzania to Uganda was easier than I thought. After staying in Tanzania for eight years, I became habituated to that beautiful country. Moreover, I have very strong familial and historical ties to Tanzania. So, I was satisfied and very complacent to remain in Tanzania. However, on arriving in Uganda, I discovered that the country is a beautiful gem that genuinely fits its description as the Pearl of Africa. From the immigration officers at the airport to colleagues in the office, vendors in the market, and congregants in places of worship, everyone is kind and friendly. So, my settling was easy, and I now feel Uganda is home away from home.

Would you say you have a mastery of language?

The sage has argued over the ages that when you speak to a person in their language, you talk to their hearts. Conversely, if you speak to them in a foreign language, you speak to their heads. So, I have endeavored to learn the language of my hosts to the extent that is feasible and practical. I do not have a flair for mastery of languages, but to a reasonable degree, I am well disposed in that direction. I try to learn, and I succeed often.

What are some of your major career accomplishments?

My career trajectory straddles research and development, as I worked in CGIAR, private for-profit market research, and back to the current development work at AGRA. Within CGIAR, I worked at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). There, we contributed significantly to knowledge generation through conducting field research, data analysis and reporting, and publishing peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. One of our policy publications led to important reforms in the management of milk marketing in the country that saw itinerant traders allowed to participate in milk marketing. The old regulations permitted only registered milk processors to participate in milk marketing. The reform created flexibility in farmers’ choices to sell their milk, creating many dignified and fulfilling jobs in rural areas. Working in the for-profit market research sector was both challenging and fulfilling. Challenging because one had to report on and justify their contribution to the organization’s balance sheet. Fulfilling because one could relate their earnings to what they bring to the organization. In that role, we prepared many proposal bids that went to win and bring significant resources to the organization. At AGRA, we have delivered significant policy reforms beneficial to agribusinesses and smallholder farmers. I have also actively participated in developing and implementing country strategies.

How has your leadership role at AGRA helped define your career objectives?

My primary role as the Country Program Lead for Uganda is developing a strong country program around our country’s change narrative. To do that, I work with internal and external partners to prioritize the binding constraints within the business lines and design interventions that address these bottlenecks. I am motivated to contribute to attaining AGRA’s vision of transforming food systems, reducing hunger, improving nutrition, and adapting to the climate. My career objective is to engender positive social impact through agriculture.

You are passionate about the role of transforming agriculture. What are you doing around this matter as AGRA?

We are developing a country program that responds to the needs and aspirations of our stakeholders. We are building partnerships and capabilities that will help us transform agriculture.

What are your plans for the future?

I am exploring several options. I have broached the possibility of pursuing elective politics to the chagrin of my family. Let’s see what destiny will deliver in that direction. I may want to set up an advisory company to continue with my current trade in the solace of retirement.