Prof. Paul Nthakanio
Super Yielding Rice in Kenya
Google Scholar Account - https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Duxw8FAAAAAJ
Orchid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9876-2593
Research gates: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul-Nthakanio
Prof, Paul Njiruh Nthakanio (PhD- Genetics and Plant Breeding). He is a distinguished scholar, researcher, consultant and strong advocate of research to commercialization agenda, mainly in Bio-economy. He is an Associate Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding at the University of Embu. Experiences in Bio-economy include being in the first cohort of the research to commercialization (R2C) programme led by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA). Currently working on Bio-based Fertilizer innovation that promotes carbon sequestration and climate-smart agriculture. The innovation is registered with Kenya Innovation Agency under Research to Commercialization (R2C) programme. Presently, undertaking a project in Integrated Approach to Produce Super Yielding Basmati370 Hybrid Rice Seeds for Farmers as the principal investigator (PI). The project focuses on the following areas; a) production of super yielding hybrid basmati through environment genetic genic male sterility gene (Thermosensitve –Photoperiod-sensitive genic male sterility) technology b) gene pyramiding aroma genes (QTLs) to make super aromatic rice, c) production of adaptive and climate resilience basmati through introgression of drought tolerance genes, d) restructuring basmati rice to dwarf basmati to reduce lodging and post maturity losses e) breeding for basmati with enhance disease resistance and f)use of doubled Haploid (DH) methods to hasten breeding and release of new rice varieties. A number ofthese initiatives are at an advanced stage of commercialization.