Getrude Alworah

I am a Senior Research Scientist at KALRO-Coffee Research Institute and an agricultural consultant. I work with farmers, cooperatives and development partners across East Africa to improve crop health, strengthen climate resilience and translate research into practical solutions for sustainable farming and better livelihoods.

I am a Kenyan plant pathologist and crop protection specialist working at the intersection of coffee research, farmer livelihoods, climate resilience and inclusive food systems. I currently serve as a Senior Research Scientist and Head of Plant Pathology at the Coffee Research Institute, where my work focuses on helping coffee farmers manage pests and diseases, improve productivity, adopt safer production practices and build more resilient farming systems. My journey into food systems leadership has been shaped by years of working directly with coffee farmers, especially smallholder producers whose livelihoods depend on the health and productivity of their farms. Through my training in agriculture, crop protection, climate-smart agriculture, agroecology and science communication, I have come to see coffee not only as a crop, but as a livelihood system that connects soil health, household income, women’s labour, market access, food security and environmental sustainability. Working with women coffee farmers in the Nguvu Project has shown me that technical solutions alone are not enough. Women often carry much of the labour behind sustainable production, yet they may have limited access to resources, decision-making power, training and markets. Through farmer training and advisory support, I help women adopt regenerative and climate-smart practices such as safe pest management, soil health improvement, composting, waste reduction and better farm decision-making. My goal is to ensure that sustainability does not become an additional burden on women, but a pathway to stronger incomes, healthier farms and greater recognition of their role in coffee systems. What led me here is the realization that research must move beyond laboratories, reports and field trials. It must reach farmers in forms they can use. Over the years, I have worked with farmers, cooperatives, public institutions, development partners and regulatory actors to translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions for pest management, climate resilience and sustainable coffee production. This has taught me that meaningful food systems change requires collaboration, humility and the ability to listen across different realities. I am motivated by the possibility of building coffee systems where farmers, especially women and youth, are not only recipients of technical advice but active leaders in shaping resilient and profitable food systems. My work is driven by a simple belief: when women farmers are supported with knowledge, networks and practical tools, they become powerful agents of transformation in their households, communities and value chains.

• AWICI Engages Coffee Sector Stakeholders at Kenya’s 19th CRI Coffee Fair
• AWICI Mashinani Brings Training and Opportunity to Women at the Heart of Kenya’s Coffee Sector
• Farmers urged to manage coffee berry disease for better pay
• Women in Tea & Coffee Created an Ideal Setting to Learn, Share and Network
• Change is gonna come – Gertrude Alworah (KALRO – Coffee Research Institute) and John Okoth Omondi (IITA - Malawi) about
• EMPOWERING WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE | AGRITECH - Voice it with Winnie Kabintie
• Getrude Okutoyi Alworah- Agriculture Nominee 2019
• APECS Fellow 2024
• Top40under40 nominee in the category Government and Public Service: Finalist