Dr. Judith Achieng Odhiambo

Dean, SANRM

Biography

JUDITH ACHIENG ODHIAMBO, PhD

School of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management

Kisii University

Email: Jodhiambo@kisiiuniversity.ac.ke and otishanan@yahoo.com

ORCiD ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3863-4362

 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Judith-Odhiambo-5

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=search_authors&mauthors=judith+achieng+odhiambo&hl=en&oi=ao

Dr. Judith Achieng Odhiambo is the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resource Management at Kisii University and a Senior Lecturer in Agronomy with over 20 years of experience in higher education, agricultural research, extension, and academic leadership. She holds a PhD in Agronomy from the University of Wyoming, USA, where her research focused on conservation agriculture, soil nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable crop production, in addition to MSc and BSc degrees from Egerton University. Throughout her career, she has established herself as a respected scholar with research interests in climate-smart agriculture, conservation agriculture, soil health, crop production, agricultural education, indigenous food systems, and agribusiness development. Dr. Odhiambo has successfully led and contributed to numerous nationally and internationally funded research projects supported by organizations such as the World Bank, USAID, the African Development Bank, and the Schlumberger Foundation. She has published extensively in reputable peer-reviewed journals, supervised numerous postgraduate students, and presented research at international scientific conferences. Beyond research, she is passionate about mentoring young scientists, particularly women in STEM, promoting innovation in agriculture, and strengthening partnerships between universities, government, industry, and farming communities. Her work continues to advance sustainable agricultural development, food security, and climate resilience in Kenya and across the African continent.

Research Interests

My research is driven by a passion for advancing sustainable agricultural systems that enhance food security, environmental sustainability, and resilient livelihoods. I have a particular interest in understanding the linkages between belowground carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling, soil health, and ecosystem functioning, and how these processes influence crop productivity, greenhouse gas emissions, and the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. My work explores the application of agro-ecological principles to develop climate-smart and conservation agriculture practices that improve resource-use efficiency, build resilience to climate variability and change, and sustain food production under diminishing natural resources. My broader research interests encompass sustainable crop production, soil fertility and integrated soil fertility management, cropping systems, crop-livestock integration, conservation agriculture, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and the conservation and utilization of indigenous and underutilized crops for improved food and nutrition security. I am equally committed to research on agricultural extension and advisory services, technology adoption and dissemination, agricultural education, agribusiness and value chain development, food systems transformation, and the inclusion of women and youth in agricultural innovation. Through interdisciplinary, participatory, and evidence-based research, I seek to generate practical solutions that strengthen resilient farming systems, inform policy, promote sustainable natural resource management, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farming communities across Africa.

Education Background

Menengai High School
1987 - 1990
C Plain
University of Wyoming
2011 Jan - 2014 Dec
Doctor of Pholosophy(PhD)
Conservation Agricultural Practices in Rain-fed Smallholder Farming Systems of western Kenya and western Nebraska: Soil Nutrient Cycling, Greenhouse Gas Fluxes and Crop productivity
Egerton University
2006 July - 2009 March
Masters
Effect of Selected Soybean Accessions on Germination and Attachment of Striga hermonthica on maize
Egerton University
2002 July - 2006 Jan
Bachelors
Egerton University
1992 July - 1995 June
Diploma

Work Experience

Kisii University
Sep 2017 -
Kisii University
Sep 2022 -
Kisii University
Jan 2025 -

Publications

No publications available.

Research Grants

National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) To Increase Banana Value Chain Productivity and Profitability
PI: DR. JUDITH ACHIENG ODHIAMBO | World Bank and Implemented by Kisii County
KES
National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) To Increase Banana Value Chain Productivity and Profitability
PI: DR. JUDITH ACHIENG ODHIAMBO | World Bank and Implemented by Nyamira County
KES
Integrated Agricultural practices for Improved Livelihood. A ward of Kisii University
PI: DR. JUDITH ACHIENG ODHIAMBO | Kisii University
KES
Raising crop response: bidirectional learning to catalyze sustainable intensification at multiple scales. Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification. (Michigan State University (MSU) DUNS number: 193247145
PI: Dr. Sieg Snapp, Professor, Michigan State University | Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable.Michigan State University (MSU) DUNS number: 193247145 Intensification
KES
Long-term dry land winter wheat based cropping systems in western Nebraska, USA.
PI: DR. JUDITH ACHIENG ODHIAMBO | Schlumberger Faculty for the Future Award
KES
Development and Transfer of Conservation Agriculture Production Systems for small-holder farms in eastern Uganda and western Kenya
PI: Dr. Jay Norton | SANREM-CRISP-LTRA10 through USAID.EPP –A-00-04-00013-00.
KES
Striga hermonthica Weed Management Using Soybean Trap Crop in Western Kenya
PI: Dr. Isaiah Masinde Tabu PI. | S T & I Research Grant awards, NCST,
KES
Food production and Striga weed control in Western Kenya -a collaborative project with CMMYT/TSBF
PI: Dr. Bernard Vanlauwe | African Agricultural Technology Foundation
KES

Skills

Experimental design Statistical data analysis Greenhouse gas measurements ILO/SIYB Certified Trainer GYB-SYB-IYB