Concisely describe Hannah Kibiru 
Kibiru is a Dedicated, self-motivated, enthusiastic and strategic thinking professional with 10 years’ experience in the Agriculture sector as an Agronomist. Well versed in all phases of horticultural crop production, specifically in floriculture and Olericulture, People management, production and sustainable use of conventional crop protection agents in harmony with the Bio- control agents. Experienced in managing projects from requirements gathering/ needs identification phase all through to completion.
What spurred you into Agriculture? Any role model who inspired you?
As a young lady growing up in a third world country, I saw people daily suffering and struggling to meet the basic nutritional requirements. I felt I would make significant impact on many individuals by taking agriculture as a career and profession. By participating in this sector am sure of not only earning a living but also technically giving back to the society.
I consider my parents as my role model though they practiced small scale farming am proud and appreciate what they were doing and how much they achieved with the limited Agricultural knowledge.
Kindly take us through your journey in Agriculture to your current position.
Kibiru is a qualified Agronomist with 10 years’ experience in the Agriculture sector in Kenya currently working as Technical Product Development specialist at UPL Limited. Have previously worked as a Senior Technical lead and as an IPM consultant for Biological controls and Implementation of Integrated Crop Management programmes in Kenya.
How would you describe your time as the Technical Product Development Specialist at UPL Limited? Are you passionate about what you do?
The period that I have been practicing as the product development Specialist at UPL has been quite enriching and fulfilling in many ways. It has been a period that involves a lot of networking, intensifying my professional knowledge and skills while working with people of different calibres and at the same time ensuring that the core objectives are not missed.
It involves a lot of movements and coordinating various aspects of product development with different stake holders thus I have become more resilient, patient and achieving results while working under tight schedules.
Learning is a continuous process therefore the daily challenges in the industry/position are horning and equipping me with better knowledge and new skill sets for a better tomorrow in my career.
Am very passionate about my new role since working with new products always presents something new to learn every day, I therefore consider this enriching as I find solutions that fits the farmers unique needs.
In a nutshell describe UPL products portfolio for the flowers sector and how you have ensured they are not only quality but also well used?
UPL provides a range of products that cuts across all farm crop protection needs thus the farmer is presented with an opportunity to choose from the variety. Introduction of new molecules in the product range also provides an avenue for integration of new approaches in crop protection, an example is just the newly launched Vacciplant (Laminarin) which offers a completely different mode of disease control.
As a product development specialist my key role is to ensure the grower is well equipped with the knowledge of how the product works in synergy with other products that are available in the market. The grower has to understand the mode of action, Rates, application methods, rotational interactions, risks involved if misused in line with FRAC/ IRAC guide lines and optimum performance/ efficacy requirements so that the product is not abused and rendered useless.
For the last few months we have seen a more aggressive UPL presence in the flower sector, especially working with the growers, what can you attribute this to?
The presence of specialists in the field and working closely with the farmers creates that feel of “am there for you” attitude thus the growers are more readily willing to work UPL Ltd.
As the Product development Specialist, communication and sharing of new solutions with the growers has been a key in the willingness to follow up and give feedback in a two pronged approach. Knowledge is power and when you share with people they tend feel valued and appreciated in their respective roles.
What can you promise the flower sector in the next few months?
I can promise the growers a more concerted and integrated work approach that foster sharing of information and coming up with customised solutions to their specific challenges.
Incorporation of new molecules will certainly complement the approach as we manage pests and diseases sustainably.
What’s the biggest challenge YOU feel faces the flower sector crop protection departments, and what you are doing to help them
The main challenge in the flowers sector partly lies with the certifications which has continuously phased out molecules thus narrowing the range of available options. On the other hand this presents an opportunity for our company (UPL) to come up with what is considered as green and works in harmony with the environment therefore I consider this challenge positively as a viable business avenue that can be exploited by the company and I would say we are already focused in that direction.
The Global warming is real- More CO2 increases pests and diseases thus warmer temperatures lowers the effectiveness of some pesticides but on the other hand, it favours insect carriers of many disease pathogens and Natural enemies of pests and diseases
Describe how you manage expectations, as well as go about goal-setting for your staff.
As a Technical product development specialist, I set personal objectives based on the key performance indicators in line with my role. My responsibility entails that I conduct trials, provide quantitative as well as qualitative proofs that the product is what it’s claimed to be. It therefore calls for constructive and structural approach in realizing this therefore I have to work within specific time frames as well as cover all the necessary parameters involved qualifying a product as effective and suitable for the intended purpose.
This is displayed on the level of understanding of the growers regarding the product and subsequent acceptance and consumption by the targeted group.
As a woman in a position of leadership, have you felt that at times, the scrutiny was much more intense just by virtue of being a woman? How do you respond to this?
In General, there have been explored unique barriers that prevent more women into leadership such as Glass cliffs, not being offered equal opportunities, lack of confidence and cultural barriers. Fortunately, I have never felt less since I believe in my capacity to compete fairly and deliver expected results. Confidence, building alliances with my seniors/ peers, pick one’s brains, building sisterhood and being myself are some of the traits that have so far played well in building my career.
What are some of your choice teamworkenhancing strategies?
Adoption of open door policy and enhanced clear communication, trust, embracing diversity of capabilities, flexibly adapting to changing condition and finally having confidence in myself and the team.
What is your preferred style of working or management? Does it in any way empower or affect the daily output of your team?
I find self-initiated and inclusive leadership more practical since the team is given opportunity to share their views thus acting from a well-informed perspective. This do not make one a weaker leader as long as the results are not compromised or achieved unethically.
A few words of advice to young girls
Girl Child has the capacity to achieve their dreams just like their male counterparts therefore whatever you dream it loud and do what it takes to reach the helm.
What legacy would you like to leave behind?
As a woman in my position, I intend to reach the apex of my career and leave holistic, indelible and sustainable mark in the agriculture sector by impacting on people’s lives as I give back to the society through my experience as an agronomist.
Give your final comments
Due to anticipated increase in world’s population from 7.7 Billion to 9.7 Billion by 2050 whereby urbanisation will continue at an accelerating pace with about 70%, it gives hope to the farmers and Agriculture remains the core employer in the whole world. Increase in population requires increase in food production.
