Emmanuel Ndakwe Fondi, agr

*-*** *** *********

Gatineau Québec

819-***-****

ada7c3@r.postjobfree.com

Personal Summary

Goal oriented and experienced Agronomist with 10+ years in agricultural research and development in West and Central Africa with involvement in CORAF/WECARD partnered projects, a wide range of independent consultancy for national seed programs, export banana companies, design and establishment of private farm enterprises as well as small and medium sized Ag-input stores. My desire to have a grasp of the bigger picture let me to serve as operations coordinator with high involvement in Canadian seed sector policy and regulation for 4+ years delivering exceptional services to a world class seed industry.

Key skills and competencies

oDemonstrate experience using computer applications (data, statistical, word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software), proficiency in accessing information stored in large data systems as well as enterprise content and business process management software (like Laserfiche) and also customer relation management platforms including salesforce

oBasic knowledge in farm management software

oResult driven leadership spirit

oAbility to establish priorities and manage multiple activities to meet tight deadlines

oCapable of initiating ideas, making presentations and explaining complex issues in a concise manner to persuade others to accept specific opinion

oProfessional communication skills include complete fluency in English and French

oWide knowledge on research methodologies, experimentation, data analysis, scientific writing and reporting

oExperience in elaborating, planning and executing complex cross boarder international development projects

oExperience ranges from direct implication in on station agricultural research projects to diverse trans-border regional projects (Cameroon, Congo, DRC, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Central Africa Republic)

Work experience

Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA)

Operations coordinator - June 2015 till present

Duties:

oManages seed crop certification process to ensure compliance with seed regulations

oManages the appeals process for seed growers who do not agree with the seed certification decision

oCoordinates the variety registration process in partnership with the variety registration office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

oContributes to the development of seed crop policy, programs, standards and regulations

oProvides analyses and support to CSGA management board on policies, programs, standards and regulations

oPerform tracking and statistical reporting

oContributes to the development of the variety registration and certification system

oDesigns international technical cooperation and assistance programs and projects

oRespond to inquiries and provides advice to seed growers, seed processors, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and authorized seed crop inspection agencies on all aspects of pedigreed seed crop production

Plantain production project (farm enterprise) – Cameroon, Central Africa

Project director - March 2014 to March 2015

Duties :

oCoordinate feasibility studies and farm project design

Regional agricultural research center (Centre Africain de Recherche sur Bananiers et Plantains - CARBAP) – Cameroon)

Musa gene bank curator – February 2005 - June 2014

Duties

oEnsure the conservation of the entire Musa diversity in CARBAP’s ex situ field collection

oCharacterize and evaluate conserved plant material

oAssess and complete diversity gaps through prospecting and introduction of new accessions

oCollaborate and provide vital information on traits to breeding team particularly but also to other partners and researchers

oContribute in the development of a Musa genetic resources data base for CARBAP

oFacilitate access to information on accessions conserved and coordinate the save exchange of genetic material

oEnsure the training of partners in Musa genetic resources management and related domains

oReceive and coordinate visits at the field collection, ensure visibility and promote CARBAP’s image

oReceive and train students on internship

oIdentify and elaborate projects in the domain of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

Head of the valorisation and development support division – Jan. 2010 to December 2013

Duties

oActing as liaison between research and development partners (linking research to development)

oWorking directly with end users to facilitate access to innovations, expert services and advice

oResponsible for the technico-commercial surveillance for income generation opportunities for the centre

oResponsible for the follow up of contracts and consultant services with divers development and commercial partners

oCoordinating the implementation of bio-efficacy and pre-vulgarisation trials for pesticides and fertilizers before homologation by the ministry of agriculture

oFacilitating the running of expert services and consultancies with the agro-industrial sector, particularly export banana companies

Research Associate (Attaché de recherche) – February 2005 – Dec. 2009

Duties

oConduct research on cultivar evaluation, plant propagation and cropping systems improvement

oCarry out conventional breeding activities to create improved banana and plantain varieties for farmers

Achievements

oActed as focal point for the coordination of three inter-institutional projects on the conservation, save exchange and use of banana and plantain genetic resources (with Bioversity International)

oContributed in the elaboration and implementation of national and regional projects on the development of banana and plantain sub-sectors in West and Central Africa

oParticipated (committee member) in the elaboration of the second national report on phyto-genetic resources for food and agriculture of Cameroon for the FAO (2008)

oParticipated (as conservation expert - November 2008, Rome) in the elaboration of strategies to improve access to information on banana/plantain genetic resources

oParticipated (as conservation expert - February 2011, Montpellier) in the development of the global strategy on the conservation and use of banana and Plantain genetic resources

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER), Cameroon

Agronomist (Rural development support staff) – 2010 to 2013

Duties

oContribute in rural development policy and planning

oHandle training of trainers and follow up of extension agents

oHandle orientation and counseling of farmers, farmer groups and cooperatives

oPromote different rural development programs and projects

Rural development consultant / expert 2005 - 2013

German International Cooperation (GIZ – Cameroon)

oConsultant for implementation of the Agriculture and sustainable development component of the Mt. Cameroon national park conservation project

Programme de relance de la filière bananier plantain (PRFP), Ministry of Agriculture - Cameroon

oConsultant for technical assistance for the development of plantain seed systems (Design, planning, establishment of seed multiplication units, follow up, evaluation)

oExpert for the training of front-line staff on plantain propagation techniques and understanding plantain seed sector regulation

Education

oThe University of Yaounde I, Cameroon

Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondie 2009 – Plant Biotechnology

oThe University of Dschang, Cameroon

Diplome d’Ingénieur Agronome 2004 (Agronomist) – Crop production

Circles / Associations

oMember of the “Ordre des Agronomes du Quebec”, Canada – Since April, 2017

oPlantain Innovation Platform for West and Central Africa – InnovatePlantain: coordinator – 2012 - 2014

oMusa Genetic Resources Network – MusaNet: Expert committee member – 2008 - 2014

oTaxonomic Advisory group on Musa -TAG (bananas and Plantains): Member – 2006 - 2009

Publications

1.MusaNet 2016. Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Musa Genetic Resources (B. Laliberté, compiler). Bioversity International, Montpellier, France

2.Jeridi M., Bakry F., Escoute J., Fondi E., Carreel F., Ferchichi A., D’Hont A., and Rodier-Goud M., Homoeologous chromosome pairing between the A and B genomes of Musa spp. Revealed by genomic in situ hybridization. Annals of Botany. Available online at www.aob.oxfordjournals.org

3.Tomekpe K. and Fondi E. 2008. Regeneration guidelines: banana. In: Dulloo M.E., Thormann

I., Jorge M.A. and Hanson J., editors. Crop specific regeneration guidelines [CD-ROM]. CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resource Programme, Rome, Italy.

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