Klaus Droppelmann
Consultant (agricultural and rural development)
Klaus Droppelmann works as independent consultant in agricultural and rural
development, currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa. His main research interests
revolve around climate smart smallholder farming systems, technology uptake, capacity
development and agricultural policy processes. Klaus gained a wealth of experience as
development practitioner, process facilitator, educator and in applied agricultural
research. Prior to his work as independent consultant, Klaus assisted in setting up and,
subsequently, headed IFPRI’s country program in Malawi. From 2001 to 2009, he held
various positions with the German Development Cooperation in Zambia, focusing on
institutional capacity strengthening of farmer organizations and consultative policy
formulation processes. Klaus studied tropical plant production at the University of
Hohenheim in Germany graduating in 1993. He holds a PhD from the University of
Bayreuth, specializing in water-harvesting technologies for annual cereal and agro-
forestry systems in Israel and Kenya.
