Michael Kinyua

Michael Kinyua is a seasoned agronomist and soil scientist with over 11 years of applied research experience across Sub-Saharan Africa. He specializes in cropping systems agronomy, climate-smart agriculture, and nature-based solutions, and has dedicated his career to enhancing food security, soil health, and climate resilience through evidence-based agronomic innovations and interdisciplinary collaboration.

He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, a Master’s degree in Agroforestry and Rural Development, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. His academic training provided a strong foundation in ecological principles, sustainable land management, and systems thinking, which continue to guide a research career that bridges fundamental science with practical agricultural solutions. His work emphasizes regenerative and agroecological practices, supported by rigorous data science and field experimentation.

Since 2016, he has worked as a Cropping Systems Agronomist with the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). In this role, he has led and contributed to numerous multi-country and multi-partner projects focused on optimizing cropping systems for resource-poor farmers. He has demonstrated strong expertise in designing robust field trials, nutrient response studies, and climate-adaptive agronomic strategies that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental trade-offs.

A significant component of his work involves integrating data science tools to analyze complex agronomic datasets, model fertilizer responses, and inform farm-level decision making. He is currently advancing a major meta-analysis on nutrient response data, assessing fertilizer use efficiency and developing fertilizer recommendations for diverse cropping systems in Kenya.

He is deeply committed to capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge production. He works closely with extension services, farmer organizations, and research institutions to translate scientific insights into actionable recommendations. His approach blends quantitative expertise with participatory methods, ensuring innovations are responsive to the needs and constraints of smallholder communities.

His leadership includes supervising graduate students, mentoring early-career researchers, and fostering interdisciplinary teams that bridge agronomy, soil science, socioeconomics, and gender-informed development. His contributions have been recognized for advancing agroecological systems such as the Mbili-Mbili innovation, and for developing digital tools including CROSST and AgWISE that support on-farm decision making.

He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, technical manuals, blogs, and extension briefs that advocate for resilient food systems grounded in evidence, equity, and sustainability.