Mr. Meshack Baraza Obonyo | Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Meshack Baraza Obonyo | Agriculture | Research Fellow at International Livestock Research Institute | Kenya

Meshack Baraza Obonyo is a passionate and emerging researcher at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), where he contributes to interdisciplinary projects focused on climate resilience, dryland innovation, and agricultural economics. Known for his data-driven approach and deep community engagement, he has been instrumental in implementing projects that combine citizen science and real-time monitoring technologies to improve the lives of pastoral communities in East Africa. His research reflects a strong commitment to participatory development and applied knowledge for sustainable livelihoods.

Academic Profile:

ORCID 

Google Scholar

Education:

Meshack Baraza Obonyo’s academic foundation is rooted in agricultural and environmental research, with his educational background tailored toward addressing challenges in food systems and climate adaptation. His continued academic pursuits align with ILRI’s global research mandates, and he remains actively involved in scholarly development, including collaborative learning initiatives and technical training with global research partners. His educational trajectory supports his technical understanding of economics, data systems, and agricultural adaptation mechanisms relevant to sub-Saharan Africa.

Experience:

Currently working with ILRI, Mr. Obonyo has been involved in various regional and international projects aimed at enhancing climate resilience and local governance in arid and semi-arid regions. He plays an integral role in knowledge dissemination, monitoring, and impact evaluation. He has collaborated with diverse research teams across Kenya and Ethiopia, implementing citizen-driven data platforms and supporting community engagement models. His experience includes the facilitation of dynamic learning tools, the development of dryland information systems, and strategic knowledge sharing within CGIAR’s global framework.

Research Interests:

Mr. Obonyo’s research focuses on agricultural economics, community-driven adaptation strategies, and innovation in drylands. He is especially interested in leveraging citizen science and real-time data for policy transformation. His work explores how participatory research methods can improve resilience among pastoralist communities facing recurrent shocks such as droughts. Furthermore, he is engaged in studies related to feed and breed technologies, digital knowledge platforms, and systems that integrate indigenous knowledge with modern research tools.

Awards:

While at an early stage of his research career, Meshack has already made significant contributions to climate and agriculture-focused development projects. His ongoing work under CGIAR and ILRI programs has received internal recognition, and he has been nominated for youth and early-career research opportunities. With growing publication visibility and continued involvement in high-impact projects, he stands out as a promising candidate for the Young Scientist Award, aligning with the award’s goal of recognizing innovative research with practical development value.

Publications:

Building Resilience Through Dynamic Monitoring of Shocks and Enhanced Access to Near-Real-Time Information Using Citizen Science and Crowdsourcing Techniques – published in 2025

Scaling Strategy for Scaling Improved Feeds and Breeds in Kapsabet and Nairobi, Kenya – published in 2024

Disseminating KAZNET Crowdsourced Dryland Information: A Report of the Baseline Survey in Northern Kenya – published in 2024

Diffusion of Crowdsourced Drylands Information for Improved Decision-Making in the Pastoral Settings – published in 2024

Facilitating Knowledge Management for Adaptation Planning in Africa: Final Project Report – published in 2023

Conclusion:

Meshack Baraza Obonyo is a dedicated early-career researcher who exemplifies the future of participatory, data-driven development science. His contributions through ILRI reflect not just academic merit but also a strong sense of social responsibility, as he works to uplift vulnerable communities through accessible technology and collaborative knowledge. With proven success in translating complex research into actionable community tools and growing visibility in regional networks, he is an ideal candidate for the Young Scientist Award. His future work is poised to make even greater contributions to sustainable development, research innovation, and policy engagement in Africa and beyond.