Samwel Ogaji Ochieng

I am a Researcher at ICIPE, based in Mbita, Kenya. working on an IKEA Foundation-funded initiative integrating Vegetable Push-Pull Technology and Black Soldier Fly farming. My work advances regenerative agriculture across horticultural and cereal systems, focusing on soil health, pest management, organic inputs, climate resilience, and sustainable solutions for smallholder farmers.

Born in Siaya and raised in the agricultural heartland of Trans-Nzoia, Kenya, I grew up watching my parents navigate the realities of smallholder farming. Their resilience in the face of farming challenges sparked my interest in agriculture and shaped my determination to contribute to solutions that work for smallholder farmers. I am an agricultural researcher and value chain practitioner with over eight years of experience across agribusines, agricultural development, farmer engagement, agroforestry, agricultural trade, and applied research. I began my career in 2015 as a Regional Sales Agronomist before joining a non-profit organisation, where I progressed from community volunteer to Project Coordinator, supporting legume seed multiplication initiatives across Western Kenya. Later, I moved to coastal Kenya, managing field teams and supporting farmers in commercial agroforestry, before transitioning into cross-border agricultural trade and sustainably sourcing agricultural produce from farmers across Eastern Africa. These experiences have given me a practical understanding of agriculture across production, farmer engagement, markets, and technology adoption. I am currently a Researcher at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), based in Mbita, Kenya, where I contribute to an IKEA Foundation-funded initiative promoting a One Health approach to sustainable agriculture. My work integrates Black Soldier Fly farming with Vegetable Push-Pull Technology, with a focus on agronomy, horticultural and cereal production, regenerative agriculture, soil health, organic inputs, circular resource use, and farmer-led innovation. I am particularly interested in translating research into practical, scalable solutions that improve smallholder productivity, resilience, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. I hold a BSc in Agricultural Biotechnology from the University of Eldoret (2014) and an MSc in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (2025). I have co-authored three peer-reviewed publications and remain passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice—turning agricultural knowledge and innovation into solutions that farmers can adopt, scale, and use to build more resilient and sustainable food systems.