Wilson Nkhata

Dr. Wilson Nkhata is a Malawian Plant Breeder and Agronomist whose academic journey began with a BSc in Agronomy from the University of Malawi in 2012, followed by a Master’s in Plant Breeding in 2017 and a PhD in Plant Breeding in 2021 from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with Rhodes Business School. He serves as Regional Bean Breeder and Coordinator of the Southern Africa Bean Research Network under the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, where he oversees germplasm exchange, develops improved bean varieties, deploys demand-led seed systems, and strengthens bean value chains across Southern Africa. His expertise spans breeding, genetics, agronomy, pathology, and seed systems, and he has supervised postgraduate students while acting as principal investigator for multiple bean research projects in recent years. Dr. Nkhata has co-authored more than fifteen peer-reviewed publications, one book chapter, and contributed to over ten “Stories of Change” articles published on CGIAR platforms, with his research widely recognized for advancing resistance to bean fly, enhancing drought tolerance, analyzing genetic diversity, and promoting sustainable seed systems that directly support food security and farmer livelihoods in the region.