Serah Njau is an accomplished agricultural scientist with over eight years of specialized expertise in plant breeding, seed systems, and agronomy, with a primary focus on enhancing food security and reducing poverty through the development of improved crop varieties. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Genetics and Breeding from the University of Embu and an MSc in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology and BSc Agriculture (Crop Science) from the University of Nairobi. Her research is centered on breeding high-yielding, resilient crop varieties that are well-adapted to diverse agro-ecological zones, targeting the needs of smallholder farmers.
In her academic and professional trajectory, Serah Njau has served as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Embu, where she mentors undergraduate and postgraduate students in advanced plant breeding methodologies. She was a co-PI in French Bean Improvement Project in University of Embu funded by Kirkhouse Trust in UK which developed five French bean breeding lines with resistance to diseases, high pod yield and quality attributes. As a Senior Sales Agronomist at Elgon Kenya, she led variety testing programs, driving data-backed decisions to optimize regional seed market strategies. Serah Njau’s extensive project management experience includes her role as Principal Investigator in multi-national agricultural initiatives, where she has overseen programs aimed at improving seed quality standards and promoting adoption by end-users.
Serah Njau’s technical competencies encompass project and breeding program management, quality control protocols, seed certification standards, and stakeholder engagement. She has made significant contributions to scholarly publications and the development of photoperiodism insensitive runner beans, biofortified bean varieties, high pod yield and quality snap beans and disease resistant snap bean breeding lines aimed at nutritional and food security enhancement and poverty alleviation. Her research and field contributions have advanced sustainable agricultural practices and boosted productivity among farmers across Kenya and the Eastern African region.
