AFRI EARTH FOUNDATION - Key Persons
I am a sustainability advocate, regenerative agriculture educator and a climate activist. I have been involved in identifying natural practices that increase the yield of agricultural produce, restore degraded soil, and reduce emissions/pollution. I taught youths, women, and communities about preventing and checking the effects of climate change while identifying and protecting their climate rights.
My desire to protect the environment and to ensure food security prompted me to collaborate with professionals and work smartly to achieve the vision. I have initiated climate change awareness/campaigns, tree planting campaigns, plastic waste management, involving secondary school students in climate actions, lobbying government officials to make and implement ecofriendly policies, fighting for the vulnerable, promoting regenerative farming, promoting the use of renewable energy, and advocating sustainable living.
I believe that education is an essential component and catalyst for responding to global climate change. I also believe that youth are very important in tackling climate and environmental challenges. It is important that the youth are well informed, trained, and inculcated with the right skills, attitudes, and values necessary to shape a sustainable future.
Since the past two decades, I have been involved in regenerative farming, climate action, and environmental protection. I have worked as a customer service manager, NGO coordinator, farm manager, classroom teacher, and social insurance manager. I founded the AfriEarth Foundation and Daen Agric Company. Was an European Climate Pact Ambassador in Nigeria, a Global Youth Mentor (Plastic Tides GYM Program), a Board Member of the Food Forest and Eco-Village Movement, a Member of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), etc.
I obtained a National Certificate in Education from the Federal College of Education in Pankshin, am a graduate of Agricultural Education from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, and studied a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife, all in Nigeria. I am a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management and the Institute of Business Strategy, among others. Attended several seminars, conferences, trainings, and courses on sustainable agriculture, management, customer services, climate and climate rights, etc.
Robert has more than 2 decades experience developing and implementing business plans for agricultural and food companies. He has extensive experience at the C-suite level in managing primary agriculture and food businesses from farm to fork. Developed strategic plans for African focused agricultural business in primary production sectors of intensive livestock. Managed sales growth and cost reduction of businesses from £100,000 to £8m, from primary production through FCMG. Developed and lead team of several people. Core competencies includes Distributor Management, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Control Management, Key Account Management, Team Building, Sales and Marketing Negotiation, Working in Challenging Environments. Project Management, Poultry and Ruminant Livestock Management. His forte is intensive livestock and horticulture, with particular experience of dairy production and poultry. Educational Credentials include a BSc in Agriculture and Management from Harper Adams University
She is recognized for her advocacy for women empowerment, the initiator of women in agriculture, a program designed to help women earn a living in agriculture and its value chain. Simisola has been involved in training of market women and start up agripreneur. She ventured into processing and sale of timber about 2 decades ago. In her quest to expand she diversified into processing of agricultural produce and supply chain. A seasoned accountant and administrator with verse experience in the private sector where she worked as an account officer, auditor and operation supervisor. She rose from the position of account supervisor to Director in Daen Agric Company. A graduate of Accounting from Lagos State University Ojo, has a Diploma in administration from the Chartered Institute of Administration and she is an Associate Accounting Technician (AAT).
Vaidyanathan Hariharan (Vaidya), based in India. Having more than 15 years experience in product development in the plywood and panel industry, with expertise in low formaldehyde emission (LFE) resins and No Added Formaldehyde (NAF) hot melt adhesives. Vaidya is also a self-made researcher in bio-manure, agricultural soil enrichment and natural yield benefits in farming, including Agro Forestry. He is a nominated Research Policy Committee (RPC) member in Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Dehradun India (under Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change - MoEFCC, Government of India). Recently Vaidya has developed a unique Nano-Silicon foliar spray, fortified with essential micronutrients, which has enabled increase of agricultural production by up to 1.5 times and higher disease resistance in rice, vegetables and spices. Further field trials are taking places in different places across India.