Africa Mechanize

Panel of Experts

iSAMAP-Africa Panellists

The iSAMAP-Africa Panel is a group of global sustainable agricultural mechanization experts acting as a think-tank to advise the ACT Network and subsequently, the African Union, FAO, and African governments, on policy, scientific, economic, and technical issues, and specifically the ten (10) Elements of the Sustainable Agriculture Mechanization Framework for Africa. The founding Panel will be chaired by Prof. Nuhu Hatibu, Professor of Agricultural Engineering and Executive Chairman of AfricAcademy - Arusha Science Ltd. The ACT Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Saidi Mkomwa will serve as the Technical Secretary to the Panel. The Panel members, in their personal capacity and not representing their institutions or employers, from different continents, include the following:

Prof H Mloza-Banda - Panellist

Dr. Mloza-Banda has over 20 years of practical experience in research, innovation, and development, with a focus on agricultural, environmental, and water management issues. In addition to formal training in agricultural ecology, he trained... Dr. Mloza-Banda has over 20 years of practical experience in research, innovation, and development, with a focus on agricultural, environmental, and water management issues. In addition to formal training in agricultural ecology, he trained in environment and development through the LEAD Program. He gained extensive experience in farming, as well as in conducting social, economic, and environmental impact assessments and surveys. He has a track record of securing regional and international project grants, implementing action research, and mentoring postgraduate research, with a particular focus on land and water resources conservation.

He has been privileged to lead academic units as Chair of the Department, Faculty Dean, and Director of the Institute. He serves in the public sector, including as Chair of the Water Resources Board of Malawi. He is competent in generating national and international public goods by synthesizing and publishing innovation and research results. He has demonstrated skills in developing information and communication materials, as well as presentations, for national, regional, and international forums.

Prof Patrick J. Makungu - Panellist

Eng. Patrick James Makungu is an accomplished mechanical engineer and Associate Professor of Agricultural Mechanization with over 40 years of experience spanning academia, research, government service, and rural technology development. He has served in... Eng. Patrick James Makungu is an accomplished mechanical engineer and Associate Professor of Agricultural Mechanization with over 40 years of experience spanning academia, research, government service, and rural technology development. He has served in key academic and leadership roles at the Sokoine University of Agriculture and University of Dar es Salaam, contributing to engineering education and innovation. Professor Makungu also has served in senior civil service positions in government, where he guided the development of science and technology policy development initiatives and capacity-building initiatives. Earlier, he served at the Centre for Agricultural Mechanization and Rural Technology (CAMARTEC) in Arusha, Tanzania, as Director General, leading the development and dissemination of appropriate technologies to enhance rural livelihoods. His professional career reflects a strong commitment to promoting innovation, capacity building, and sustainable technological solutions for Tanzania’s agricultural and socio-economic transformation. He currently serves as Director of BoPi Garage, a start-up innovation accelerator located at Pangani Kibaha in the Coast Region of Tanzania.

Dr Bashir Jama - Panellist

Dr. Jama brings extensive experience relevant to the International Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization Advisory Panel for Africa, including a sound understanding of the policies and operations of multilateral development banks. This includes the Islamic Development... Dr. Jama brings extensive experience relevant to the International Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization Advisory Panel for Africa, including a sound understanding of the policies and operations of multilateral development banks. This includes the Islamic Development Bank, where he served as the Manager of the Food Security Division and Lead Food Security Specialist of the Lives and Livelihood Fund, a concessional financing mechanism supported by philanthropic and bilateral donors. Previously, he served as the Director of the Soil Health Program at AGRA and as the Policy Adviser for Agriculture and Food Security in relation to the Millennium Development Goals at the United Nations Development Programme. Dr. Jama was also a Principal Scientist and Regional Coordinator at the World Agroforestry Center for many years. He is currently leading the Africa Pastoralists Empowerment Organization, a Kenya-based NGO, which promotes climate-smart agriculture and empowerment programs for women and youth. A seasoned soil scientist and development facilitator, Dr. Jama has published extensively and mentored many worldwide.

Md Abdul Matin, PhD, PEng - Panellist

Dr. Matin is a Professional Agricultural Engineer working as a Mechanization Specialist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). He is based in CIMMYT’s Regional Office in Harare, Zimbabwe. Over the last... Dr. Matin is a Professional Agricultural Engineer working as a Mechanization Specialist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). He is based in CIMMYT’s Regional Office in Harare, Zimbabwe. Over the last 22 years, Dr. Matin has been involved in the development of local adaptation, manufacturing, and scaling of affordable and sustainable mechanization and irrigation solutions for smallholder farmers in Asia and Africa in partnership with public, CGIAR, industry, iNGO, and university partners. He has contributed to the design and implementation of various projects funded by USAID, EU, FAO, SDC, ACIAR, WFP, IFAD, DFID, B&MGF, WB, ADB, and national governments. Before joining CIMMYT, Dr. Matin worked at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Maize & Wheat Research Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural University, and University of South Australia in various roles.

Dr. Matin has published more than 37 scientific articles and developed numerous training and promotional materials for farmers, technicians, extension officers, agricultural engineers, and manufacturers. Dr. Matin completed his BSc in Agricultural Engineering and MS in Farm Power and Machinery degrees from Bangladesh Agricultural University and his PhD in Conservation Tillage from the University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. Dr. Matin loves gardening and travelling together with family.

Ing. Mohamed Idrissi - Panellist

Mohamed Idrissi is an experienced industrial engineer with nearly 40 years of leadership as Managing Director of Les Ateliers Marocains. Founded in 1G47, the company is a national leader in the development of agricultural... Mohamed Idrissi is an experienced industrial engineer with nearly 40 years of leadership as Managing Director of Les Ateliers Marocains. Founded in 1G47, the company is a national leader in the development of agricultural machinery, renowned for its commitment to innovation and a diverse range of over fifty products developed and produced locally.

In 1GGG, he participated in the development of the country’s first prototype of a no-till seeder, in collaboration with researchers from the IAV Hassan II Institute in Rabat. This milestone marked a pivotal step toward sustainable farming practices in Morocco. In 2002, he led the design of a second prototype in partnership with the INRA research teams in Settat, continuing his commitment to collaborative innovation in conservation agriculture.