Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Interests
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic
KEBBA FOFANA

KEBBA FOFANA

Brikama

Summary

Knowledgeable Agriculture Officer with robust experience in climate-smart/organic farming operations and contract farming. Well-versed with agriculture extension program to disseminate innovative techniques and ideas about organic farming to farming community. Travels extensively in rural areas to oversee and monitor field activities of target farmers.

Overview

2025
2025
years of professional experience

Work History

Agriculture Officer

HappyFarm, SeneGambia Ltd
11.2023 - Current
  • Developed and maintain the agricultural curriculum for the HappyFarm program
  • Set up and conduct field trials of regenerative agriculture techniques
  • Analyse data from field trials and farmer activities to improve farming methods
  • Collaborate with product development to integrate agricultural insights into the HappyFarm mobile app.

01.2022 - Current
  • Title: Restoration of Wild Edible Plant Species in The Gambia, Fruiting and Flowering Phenology
  • LANGUAGE COMPETENCY
  • Fluent in English: my home country’s official language and medium of instruction
  • Duolingo English Test Score: 135
  • Other local languages include Mandinka (Native), Wolof.

Research Assistant

Mbolo Association
10.2022 - 01.2023
  • Identified potential site & community needs for the use of an agro-photovoltaic (APV) system
  • Identified capacity building gaps and community needs to manage and maintain an APV system
  • Identified potential areas for collaboration, provide capacity building and conduct regular monitoring and evaluation
  • Developed a scientific article for publication.

Chairperson

10.2021 - 08.2022
  • Coordinated research activities, ensuring all tasks were aligned with project objectives and timelines
  • Led community sensitization efforts to engage local stakeholders and increase awareness of research goals
  • Supervised the data collection process, ensuring accuracy and consistency in gathering field data
  • Conducted comprehensive data analysis to identify trends, insights, and potential areas for improvement
  • Authored detailed reports summarizing research findings, methodologies, and recommendations for future studies
  • UTG-AESSA, University of The Gambia

05.2021 - 05.2022
  • Council of UTG-AESSA
  • 2022 Aug
  • Most committed Executive mem, IAAS Gambia Chapter, The Gambia
  • Best graduating student in HDA class, Gambia College 2019 Jan
  • Best student in student Research work, HDA, Gambia College 2019Jan
  • Best graduating in Agric Extension, HDA, Gambia College 2019 Jan
  • 1 of Best graduating students, HDA class, Gambia college 2019 Jan
  • Best graduating student in CGA class, Gambia College 2017 Jan
  • Best student in Soil Science, CGA, Gambia college 2017 Jan
  • Best Student in Crop Science, CGA, Gambia College 2017 Jan
  • Among Best graduating Students 2017 Jan
  • Overall outstanding student, senior school on numerous occasions

Senior Agric Assistant

Ministry of Agriculture
09.2020 - 01.2022
  • Disseminated climate-smart and sustainable agricultural innovations to local farmers, enhancing their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions
  • Conducted training sessions on sustainable farming practices, focusing on soil conservation, water management, and crop diversification
  • Performed regular field inspections to monitor the adoption of sustainable techniques and provided feedback to improve implementation
  • Collected and analyzed data on farming practices and crop performance, contributing to research on the effectiveness of climate-smart agriculture
  • Prepared and submitted periodic progress reports, highlighting the impact of sustainable practices on crop yield and environmental health
  • Led sensitization programs to raise awareness about the benefits of sustainable agriculture, promoting long- term food security and environmental resilience.

Research Assistant

University of The Gambia, SAES
01.2019 - 01.2022
  • I assisted some of my faculty staff during their various researching activities both on farm and in lab with research design, data collection, analysis, literature review, preparation of manuscript and slides preparation
  • Co-Author, Proposal and Project Development, UTG faculty-based.

Commissioner

UTGSU
07.2021 - 11.2021
  • Review the students’ constitution for better and equitable governance of student body
  • Dialogue with general students on the laws governing general student body
  • Reviewing and producing the new constitutions for the general students.

President

UTG
07.2020 - 07.2021
  • AESSA 12th Executive Council, Directed and coordinated the activities of the association, including managing and guiding the efforts of cabinet ministers
  • Represented the association in external matters, fostering relationships with other organizations and stakeholders
  • Amplified the voices and concerns of members and students, advocating for their needs and seeking redress from relevant authorities
  • Served as the main signatory for the association's accounts, ensuring proper financial oversight and accountability
  • Oversaw the planning and execution of quarterly and annual congresses, delivering comprehensive reports on the association’s activities and achievements
  • Negotiated and entered into agreements with other institutions and associations on behalf of the organization, facilitating collaborations and partnerships.

Vice President

International Association of
05.2021 - 05.2021
  • Agriculture and Related Sciences (IAAS), External Affairs: - Established and maintained external relationships with key organizations and agencies to foster collaboration and resource sharing
  • Developed and negotiated Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to formalize partnerships and define mutual goals
  • Represented the association at external functions, ensuring the association's interests were effectively communicated and advocated for
  • Drafted and presented detailed progress reports, outlining the achievements, challenges, and future plans of the association's initiatives.

Minister

UTG
06.2019 - 07.2020
  • Education & Research, , 11th Executive Council: - Acted as a liaison between faculty students and the faculty officer, ensuring effective communication and coordination in all educational activities
  • Organized research training sessions, helping students develop critical research skills in sustainable agriculture and related fields
  • Coordinated debate and public speaking training programs, enhancing students' communication and presentation abilities
  • Regularized academic calendar issues on behalf of students, ensuring smooth transitions between semesters and timely scheduling of exams
  • Organized and oversaw tutorial sessions for faculty students, providing additional academic support to improve their understanding of complex subjects.

Faculty-Based Research Representative

Uni of The Gambia
06.2019 - 01.2020
  • Effects of waste disposal in marine environment and Loos of Biodiversity.

Tutor

TRAININGS
01.2011 - 01.2014
  • I tutored Research method, Crop improvement, Crop Protection
  • During these activities I assisted students under my faculty and other university students develop understanding in critical aspects of these courses.

UNITAR

1 1 - 1 1
  • Capacity Building for Gambian experts:
  • Technical training on Introduction to Earth Observation and Geospatial Information Technology for Climate
  • Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction
  • UTG-AESSA Research Trip 2022 Feb.

Education

BSc - Agriculture

University of The Gambia

Higher Diploma - Agriculture

HDA -

Gambia College

Certificate, Agriculture -

Gambia College

Skills

  • Technical Skills:
  • Software:
  • Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ArcGIS, SPSS
  • Programming Languages: Beginner in Python, R
  • Soft Skills:
  • Excellent in communication
  • Organic farming
  • Pest Control
  • Environmental Compliance
  • Irrigation Systems
  • Crop Rotation
  • Fertilizer Application
  • Horticulture Techniques
  • Precision Farming
  • Agribusiness Development
  • Farm Planning
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Organizational Skills
  • Attention to Detail
  • Decision-Making

References

REFEREES Prof. Sidat Yaffa Dean, Sch of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences University of The Gambia. Email: syaffa@utg.edu.gm Tel: +220 3650028 Dr. Lamin KM Fatty Senior Lecturer, Sch of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences University of The Gambia Email: lkmfatty@utg.edu.gm Tel: +220 3650017 Dr. Mamma Sawaneh (Research Supervisor) Senior Lecturer, sch of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences University of The Gambia. Email: msawaneh@utg.edu.gm Tel: +220 7950511

Interests

INTERESTS/HOBBIES , Research, Teaching, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals (zero hunger, No poverty, Climate Action etc), Food Security, Conservation, GIS, Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Additional Information

HONORS AND AWARDS:

· Award of Recognized Contribution, 13th Executive Council of UTG-AESSA. 2022 Aug

· Most committed Executive mem, IAAS Gambia Chapter, The Gambia. 2021 May – 2022 May

· Best graduating student in HDA class, Gambia College 2019 Jan

· Best student in student Research work, HDA, Gambia College 2019Jan

· Best graduating in Agric Extension, HDA, Gambia College 2019 Jan

· 1 of Best graduating students, HDA class, Gambia college 2019 Jan

· Best graduating student in CGA class, Gambia College 2017 Jan

· Best student in Soil Science, CGA, Gambia college 2017 Jan

· Best Student in Crop Science, CGA, Gambia College 2017 Jan

· Among Best graduating Students 2017 Jan

· Overall outstanding student, senior school on numerous occasions 2011-2014

Timeline

Agriculture Officer

HappyFarm, SeneGambia Ltd
11.2023 - Current

Research Assistant

Mbolo Association
10.2022 - 01.2023

01.2022 - Current

Chairperson

10.2021 - 08.2022

Commissioner

UTGSU
07.2021 - 11.2021

05.2021 - 05.2022

Vice President

International Association of
05.2021 - 05.2021

Senior Agric Assistant

Ministry of Agriculture
09.2020 - 01.2022

President

UTG
07.2020 - 07.2021

Minister

UTG
06.2019 - 07.2020

Faculty-Based Research Representative

Uni of The Gambia
06.2019 - 01.2020

Research Assistant

University of The Gambia, SAES
01.2019 - 01.2022

Tutor

TRAININGS
01.2011 - 01.2014

BSc - Agriculture

University of The Gambia

Higher Diploma - Agriculture

HDA -

Gambia College

Certificate, Agriculture -

Gambia College

UNITAR

1 1 - 1 1
KEBBA FOFANA