Erick Ogumo

Senior Africa-focused agricultural transformation and commercialization leader with over 25 years of experience leading multi-country agricultural technology development, regulatory engagement, commercialization strategy, climate-smart agriculture, and market systems transformation across Sub-Saharan Africa. Demonstrated leadership in moving agricultural innovations from research and pilot stages into scalable, commercially sustainable market deployment models through strategic partnerships with governments, private-sector actors, development partners, research institutions, and farmer organizations. Extensive experience supporting agricultural product development pipelines, commercialization pathways, regulatory engagement, biosafety and stewardship considerations, sustainable sourcing systems, and inclusive smallholder integration programmes across East, West, Central, and Southern Africa.

Strong background working with international organizations, CGIAR centres, ACIAR, IFC/World Bank Group, UNIDO, EU-funded programmes, agribusinesses, DFIs, governments, seed systems actors, agricultural technology providers, and development partners to design and implement scalable agricultural transformation programmes. Experienced in strategic leadership, programme governance, operational management, stakeholder coordination, investment and technical due diligence, agricultural technology deployment, partnership development, and resource mobilization. Recognized expertise in regenerative agriculture, commercialization systems, sustainable value chains, ESG integration, climate resilience, rural enterprise development, and the commercialization of farmer-focused agricultural technologies and production systems.

Strategic Agricultural Advisor – Consultant - Fin Agra Kenya Limited - Kenya

(2026-01)

Providing strategic leadership and advisory support for the development of a large-scale commercial agriculture and inclusive smallholder integration programme in Kenya.

• Supporting programme design and implementation of inclusive agricultural development systems and commercially scalable agricultural production models.
• Advising on commercialization pathways for integrated agricultural enterprises and smallholder-linked market systems.
• Supporting institutional development, operational strengthening, governance systems, and implementation planning.
• Leading stakeholder engagement and agricultural ecosystem partnership development involving private investors, government institutions, and technical partners.
• Supporting multidisciplinary team leadership, operational coordination, and programme implementation oversight.
• Advising on sustainable agricultural financing, rural enterprise development, and climate-smart production systems.

Internal Agricultural Consultant – Palm Oil Development & Transaction Advisory - CPF Financial Services - Kenya

(2024-03 - 2024-09)

Provided technical and strategic advisory support on the design and development of a proposed large-scale commercial palm oil investment programme in Kenya.

• Supported feasibility assessments, technical due diligence, implementation planning, and investment readiness assessments for large-scale agricultural investments.
• Contributed to environmental and sustainability review frameworks, including ESIA and RSPO compliance considerations.
• Supported commercial viability analysis, investment structuring, and operational planning.
• Engaged regulators, investors, government agencies, and technical stakeholders to support project preparation and approval processes.
• Contributed to infrastructure planning, operational feasibility assessments, and commercialization strategy development.
• Supported the development of scalable production and market deployment systems aligned with sustainability and commercial objectives.

Country Director & Market Development Lead - Crop Health Vision (CHV) International - Nairobi, Kenya

(2021-12)

Led the establishment, strategic growth, regulatory engagement, product commercialization, and the implementation of regenerative agriculture and sustainable crop production operations in Kenya.

• Led the establishment and operationalization of CHV Kenya operations, including strategic planning, business development, market positioning, and operational management.
• Spearheaded the introduction, adaptation, field validation, and commercialization of regenerative agriculture technologies and sustainable crop production solutions for Kenyan and regional markets.
• Led engagement with regulatory agencies, technical institutions, and government stakeholders to support product registration, compliance, stewardship, and market authorization processes.
• Coordinated development and implementation of commercialization strategies for biologicals, regenerative agriculture technologies, crop nutrition systems, and sustainable agricultural inputs.
• Developed and managed strategic partnerships with distributors, farmer organizations, agribusinesses, regulators, research institutions, and development partners to accelerate market adoption and scaling.
• Led multi-location field evaluations, demonstration systems, farmer validation programmes, and market-entry activities that supported product positioning and adoption.
• Supported product portfolio development through technical assessment, market intelligence, commercialization planning, and customer engagement.
• Coordinated technical training, stewardship programmes, and farmer adoption initiatives to support sustainable technology deployment.
• Managed financial oversight, budgeting, performance reporting, operational planning, and business development activities.
• Supported regional scaling initiatives and operational efficiency improvements across East African markets.

Lead Agriculture Specialist (Consultant) - International Finance Corporation (IFC) – World Bank Group - Africa

(2019-01)

Provided strategic and technical advisory support to IFC investment and advisory teams across Africa supporting agricultural transformation, climate resilience, market systems development, commercialization systems, and private-sector investment programmes.

• Supported design, technical review, and implementation planning for agricultural transformation and commercialization programmes across multiple African countries.
• Contributed to the development of commercially viable agricultural investment programmes aligned with the World Bank Group strategic priorities and private-sector development objectives.
• Conducted technical due diligence, feasibility assessments, implementation reviews, and sustainability evaluations for agricultural investment and technology deployment projects.
• Supported development of inclusive sourcing systems, commercialization pathways, and sustainable smallholder market integration models.
• Worked with governments, agribusinesses, DFIs, commercial banks, development partners, and private-sector actors to strengthen agricultural market systems and investment ecosystems.
• Supported advisory work related to farmer-led irrigation development, climate resilience, sustainable agricultural intensification, and the commercialization of production systems.
• Contributed to the design of blended finance and embedded finance mechanisms supporting agricultural SMEs and smallholder commercialization.
• Supported programme governance, implementation oversight, stakeholder coordination, and operational performance monitoring.
• Participated in the preparation and review of technical reports, investment assessments, commercialization strategies, and programme evaluation inputs.

International Reviewer – New Project Proposal Assessment - Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

(2025-08-10 - 2025-09-15)

Served as an International Reviewer for agricultural research and development project proposals submitted to ACIAR.

• Conducted an independent technical review and assessment of agricultural research and development proposals.
• Evaluated the commercialization potential, implementation feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and expected development impact of the proposed projects.
• Assessed alignment with agricultural transformation, climate resilience, food systems development, and farmer adoption priorities.
• Reviewed institutional capacity, partnership arrangements, implementation approaches, and multidisciplinary coordination frameworks.
• Evaluated the economic, social, environmental, operational, and commercialization dimensions of the proposed programmes.
• Provided evidence-based recommendations supporting project selection, investment prioritization, and funding decisions.

Independent Reviewer - Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

(2024-04 - 2024-06)

Conducted an end-of-project review for the programme: "Rapid Breeding for Reduced Cooking Time and Enhanced Nutritional Quality in Common Bean in Kenya."

• Conducted an independent end-of-project evaluation and an implementation review.
• Assessed programme relevance, implementation effectiveness, commercialization potential, outcomes, and sustainability.
• Evaluated institutional collaboration frameworks, programme governance, and research-to-market transition considerations.
• Reviewed achievement of programme objectives, implementation performance, and adoption pathways.
• Developed evidence-based recommendations to support future programme strengthening and scaling.

Agricultural Consultant – Pilot Phase Operator - Selu Africa - Nairobi, Kenya

(2023-03 - 2024-05)

Served as Lead Consultant supporting the implementation of a Public-Private Partnership agricultural production initiative involving the Government of Kenya and private-sector stakeholders.

• Led the implementation of pilot agricultural production and commercialization programmes.
• Supported development of scalable and commercially sustainable agricultural production models.
• Coordinated stakeholder engagement and partnership discussions involving government agencies, investors, farmers, and private-sector institutions.
• Developed sustainable crop production, soil management, and regenerative agriculture systems.
• Supported implementation planning, operational management, and programme coordination.
• Contributed to the development of farmer adoption systems and commercialization pathways.

Horticultural Value Chain Expert - United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) - Kenya

(2022-01 - 2023-12)

Supported the implementation of the EU-funded Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) in Kenya.

• Conducted horticultural competitiveness and export market assessments.
• Supported the development of inclusive market systems, export competitiveness, and value chain strengthening interventions.
• Engaged public and private-sector stakeholders to strengthen agricultural market systems and commercialization opportunities.
• Supported the implementation of sustainability, quality assurance, food safety, and export compliance systems.
• Contributed to enterprise development strategies that support market expansion and commercial participation.

Member of the Proposal Review Panel – Evidence Generation Grants - CGIAR

(2021-07 - 2021-08)

Served as a member of the Proposal Review Panel for the CGIAR GENDER Platform Evidence Module.

• Reviewed and evaluated international research and evidence-generation grant proposals.
• Assessed implementation feasibility, institutional capacity, partnership structures, and expected development outcomes.
• Evaluated programme quality, sustainability considerations, and implementation arrangements.
• Participated in collaborative technical review and funding recommendation processes involving international research stakeholders.

Fresh Produce Specialist - Kigali Wholesale Market for Fresh Produce (KWMFP) – TradeMark Africa (TMA) - Rwanda

(2021-02 - 2021-07)

Provided technical advisory support to the Kigali Wholesale Market for Fresh Produce initiative in Rwanda.

• Supported development and assessment of modern agro-logistics and wholesale market systems.
• Contributed to operational planning and commercialization systems supporting regional agricultural trade.
• Supported stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, institutional coordination, and governance discussions.
• Contributed to the development of systems supporting food safety, traceability, post-harvest management, and market competitiveness.

Independent Investment Committee Member - Self Help Africa – AgriFI Challenge Fund

(2019-01 - 2021-12)

Served as an Independent Investment Committee Member supporting the review and assessment of agricultural SME investments under the EU-funded AgriFI Challenge Fund.

• Reviewed and evaluated agribusiness investment proposals and SME development projects.
• Assessed commercial sustainability, implementation feasibility, scalability, and development impact.
• Evaluated commercialization models, investment readiness, operational sustainability, and market deployment strategies.
• Contributed to investment decision-making processes supporting inclusive agricultural transformation.
• Assessed risks, implementation capacity, long-term viability, and sustainability of funded interventions.

Supplier Development Manager – Africa - Tesco PLC - Africa

(2014-01 - 2018-12)

Led agricultural sourcing systems, supplier development programmes, sustainability initiatives, and commercial supply-chain partnerships across Africa.

• Led the development and implementation of inclusive sourcing and supplier development programmes, integrating smallholder farmers into international retail supply chains.
• Designed sourcing strategies and commercialization systems supporting sustainable market access and long-term supplier development.
• Managed multi-country agricultural sourcing operations, supplier performance systems, and stakeholder engagement programmes.
• Coordinated sustainability, ESG, food safety, traceability, and agricultural compliance initiatives across supplier networks.
• Led partnership engagement with exporters, governments, certification bodies, logistics providers, and producer organizations.
• Supported development of commercially sustainable sourcing systems, value-addition initiatives, and food waste reduction programmes.
• Strengthened supply chain governance, operational efficiency, and responsible sourcing frameworks.

Supply Chain Agronomist - The Coca-Cola Company - Africa

(2012-01 - 2014-12)

Led the development of agricultural sourcing systems supporting innovative juice supply chains across Africa.

• Supported the implementation of sustainable agricultural sourcing programmes and commercialization systems.
• Worked with governments, research institutions, development partners, and farming communities under Project Nurture.
• Supported the development of sustainable fruit production systems and smallholder commercialization models.
• Contributed to the transition of donor-supported agricultural initiatives into commercially sustainable market systems.
• Coordinated stakeholder partnerships supporting farmer adoption, sourcing reliability, and sustainable supply chain development.

Group Agronomist - Finlays - East Africa

(2008-01 - 2012-12)

Led agronomy and production-support programmes across East African agricultural operations.

• Managed the implementation of regional agronomy programmes and commercial production systems.
• Led sustainability, ESG, ethical sourcing, and food safety compliance programmes.
• Supported operational efficiency, irrigation management, and sustainable production systems.
• Coordinated technical advisory support across multiple agricultural production operations.
• Supported the development of commercially viable production systems aligned with export market requirements.

Group Agronomist - East African Growers

(2005-01 - 2008-12)

• Managed agronomic systems supporting commercial horticultural production and export supply chains.
• Supported the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices and export compliance systems.
• Strengthened smallholder integration into commercial horticultural production systems.
• Coordinated quality assurance, production management, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Production Manager - Flamingo Horticulture

(2001-01 - 2005-12)

• Led agronomy management for commercial horticultural operations.
• Supported the implementation of sustainable production systems and export compliance programmes.
• Contributed to the development of commercially viable smallholder-linked production systems.
• Co-ordinated production operations, quality management, and operational performance improvement initiatives.

PhD - Food Science & Technology

MSc - Crop Protection

BSc - Agriculture