Jester Paul Kalumba

Dynamic agronomist with extensive experience at CIMMYT, specializing in climate-smart agriculture and stakeholder engagement. Proven track record in training and capacity building, enhancing seed quality, and implementing innovative agricultural practices. Proficient in data analytics and effective communication, driving impactful projects that improve productivity and sustainability in farming systems.

• Wezi, Mhango, Professor, wmhango@bunda.luanar.mw, +265 881 057 112, Bunda College of Agriculture, Principal Investigator (TKPS Project) and Major Supervisor, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
• AKPO, Essegbemon, Dr, E.Akpo@cgiar.org, +254710787929, CIMMYT-Kenya, Global Maize Program, Southern Africa Maize Seed Systems Specialist
• Linnet, Chatsika, Mrs, linette.chatsika.chimimba@nca.no, +265 995 393 398, Norwegian Church Aid, Lilongwe, Sustainable Food Systems for Rural Resilience and Transformation Program [TRANSFORM], Economic Empowerment Program Manager
• Regis, Chikowo, Professor, regischikowo@yahoo.co.uk, Michigan State University, USA, Project Team Leader, Africa RISING Program (IITA) and Postgraduate Co-supervisor, Department of Plant Sciences

2024-2026 Point of Contact CIMMYT- Malawi - Evaluation, release, early generation seed production and commercialization of climate resilient new maize hybrids in Malawi. DARS and CGIAR Collaboration. Funder: AGRA, 2023-2026 Research Associate and Point of Contact CIMMYT- Malawi - Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils – Seed systems (VACS). United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 2023-2025 Research Associate CIMMYT– Malawi, Zambia & Tanzania- Southern Africa – Accelerating Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I). United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 2020-2023 Lead Agronomist and Project Coordinator (Mchinji)- Sustainable Food Systems for Rural Resilience and Transformation Program [TRANSFORM]. Norwegian Church Aid and The Development Fund of Norway, 2017-2020 Research Associate and Postgraduate Student-IITA _ Africa RISING Program – Transforming Key Production Systems: Maize-Legumes Mixed Systems, East and Southern Africa

• Kalumba J.P (2013). Assessment of the effects of inorganic NPK sources on yield and quality of cotton at Bunda College. (BSc. Research Project), Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi
• Kalumba J.P (2015). Assessing the effect of B-Nursery fields on seed quality and quantity at Dwangwa Estate. Research paper presented at Illovo, Annual Conference, Limbe, Blantyre.
• Kalumba et al. (2019). Yield gaps and biological nitrogen fixation in groundnut as affected by seed quality, variety and plant density. Paper presented at CGIAR technical meeting, Chitedze Research Station, Lilongwe (15-17 July)
• Kalumba J.P (2020). Effect of seed generation, Rhizobia inoculation and plant density on productivity and seed quality of groundnut and soybean in Central and Southern Malawi (MSc Agronomy Thesis, Bunda)
• Kalumba et al. (2025). Biological nitrogen fixation and yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) on smallholder farms in Central and Southern Malawi: Quantifying effect of seed generation, rhizobia inoculation and plant density, Journal of experimental Agriculture International (pending)

• Seed Production Training (Maintenance of parental lines, hybrid seed production vs OPVs, molecular marker characterization etc.), conducted from 1st to 3rd October 2024, Nairobi, Kenya
• Post-Harvest Handling and Marketing of Fresh Horticultural Crops, conducted from 15th to 17th September 2021, by Bunda College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
• Vegetable Production Management, conducted from 16th to 20th August 2021, by Bunda College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
• Proposal Development, use of SPSS, STATA and R for Data Analysis and Referencing, conducted from 6th to 10th August 2018, by Centre for Agriculture Research and Development (CARD) at Bunda College
• Project Management-Excellence in Project Management, conducted from 3rd to 6th November 2014, by SiVEST at Illovo Sugar Group, Dwangwa Estate

- Managed multi-country project agreements and donor relations since 2023 up to now not limited to these projects: AID-I, VACS, DeSIRA, Reginal On-Farm Trials 1000 Farms (ROFT), etc.

Fluent in English, Chichewa, Chitumbuka and beginner in Chiyao

I hereby certify that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, this 19th June 2025.

• - Drafting terms of reference for new vacancy advertisement
• - Screening and shortlisting potential candidates to interview
• - Suggestion and validation of interview questions with panel members
• - Interview panelist and recommendation of qualified candidate for filling vacant position
• - Staff supervision, overseeing budget disbursements to partner institutions in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania
• - Communication management with country partners and donor relations
• - Engagement and high-level meetings with partner Institutions and country officials mainly at the Ministry of Agriculture - Periodic progress report meetings