Jimmy Smith, a Canadian was appointed director general of ILRI from 1st October 2011. Before joining ILRI, he was based at the headquarters of the World Bank, in Washington, DC, where he served for five years, leading the Bank’s Global Livestock Portfolio. Previously, Jimmy held senior positions at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) (2001–2006). Earlier in his career, Jimmy had worked at ILRI and its predecessor, the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) (1991–2001).

Am motivated to be part of this interesting and career development program.Being part of the group/platform will help me share key learning and share a voice in Agricultural development Globally.

Gerald Nelson is a senior research fellow at IFPRI. He leads the strategic foresight research in CRP2.

Agricultural economics - local capacy builder , extension agent and agricultural value chain and commodities développer. 2 years experience working in the field of agricultural research and development in subsaharian africa. Great experience working with national reserch institution in benin and NGO such as International Fertilizer and Developement Center.
Actually i 'm workin for Benin Ministry of agriculture to sthrengh Coton Producers capability throw extension and management advise.

Dr olaniyi, O.A. is a Lecturer in the Department of agricultural Extension & Rural development, Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology, Nigeria. The main responsibilities include: Teaching of both undergraduate and Postgraduate students, carrying out resaerch and supervision as well as involved in community service to rural dwellers. The research area of interest are : Youth in agriculture, commnication for impart, Research methodology and Measurement and Scaling in Extension. I have attended various conferences both locally and at the international level.

Thomas A. Lumpkin has served as Director General of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center since 15 March 2008. CIMMYT is 1 of 15 international agricultural research centers supported by the CGIAR. Lumpkin grew up on a small farm in eastern Washington State USA, located on the boundary between the irrigated desert and the rainfed wheat production area. As a young man, he served in the Peace Corps in the Konkan region of India, teaching rice production along with wheat and horticultural crops.

I joined Seed Production Administration in 1987 and joined university since 1993 teaching breeding and Genetics and from 2000 to 2004 i am dean faculty of higher studies

I am a holder of a Bachelor of Science Natural Resources Management and Agriculture Degree with an Honours Degree in Agronomy. I have experience in agricultural research. Iam interested in Natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, conservation biology and community development. Iam currently studying towards a Master of Science Degree in Sustainable agriculture.