Emily Masinde is combining an aptitude for crop protection with her ardent advocacy for women farmers. Through her master’s research project, this young scientist hopes to help develop aphid-resistant varieties of wheat to improve food security in Kenya.
“During my internship at KARI in Njoro, I worked with a group of scientists assessing the constraints of agricultural production,” recalls Emily. “I learned that smallholder farmers, and especially women, have limited access to just about everything—land, capital, credit, agricultural inputs, education, training and extension services, as well as research and appropriate technologies. And I could see that they had major problems dealing with pests and diseases in their wheat crops. I was touched by their plight, and, as a scientist, I wanted to look for solutions to their problems.”
During my internship at KARI in Njoro, I worked with a group of scientists assessing the constraints of agricultural production,” recalls Emily. “I learned that smallholder farmers, and especially women, have limited access to just about everything—land, capital, credit, agricultural inputs, education, training and extension services, as well as research and appropriate technologies.
Field of Research
Molecular characterization of plant resistance genes to various plant insect pests, particularly aphid-resistance genes in bread wheat cultivars.