Dr. John Chelal is a Plant Pathologist and lecturer at the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources of Moi University. He holds Masters and Doctoral degrees in Horticultural sciences from Leibniz University Hannover, Germany. He is passionate about harnessing advances in affordable technology, artificial intelligence and mobile phones to provide solutions to smallholder farmers and extension workers in the face of climate change. Currently, he is a collaborator in a Pennsylvania State university funded project that seeks to build climate resiliency among smallholder farming communities in Western Kenya by providing clear and locally relevant advice on weather events, crop suitability and climate smart agricultural practices. He has been involved in the development of the FAMEWS and NURU app, an Artificially Intelligent assistant capable of diagnosing multiple diseases in Cassava and Fall Armyworm infections in maize. |