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Prof Dorothy Amwata

Prof Dorothy Amwata

Dean School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
damwata@mut.ac.ke
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Summary Strengths

A technical expert with specialised in rangeland resources management and ecology with a bias towards productivity and use efficiency, livestock production systems, agro-ecosystems, ecosystem assessments, agriculture and food security, rangeland and natural resource policy and  ecosystem monitoring and evaluation. Researched and worked for 18 years on climate change adaptation and mitigation in agriculture including livestock, climate change (adaptation, resilience and mitigation), monitoring and evaluation of projects, project appraisal, and planning, management and implementation. Carried out consultancies on climate change, desertification, sustainable rural livelihoods, resource use conflicts and management agriculture and food security, environment and natural resource management including gender lens. Previously worked at Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS) Tunis as Research for Development Officer and Kenya Wildlife Service (Research Scientist). I am also an Ecosystem Expert Analyst with Global Climate Adaptation Partnership (GCAP).

Education

  • Ph.D. in Rangeland Resource Management, Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT), University of Nairobi, 2013. The PhD thesis on “Influence of Climate Variability and Change on Land use and Livelihoods in Southern Rangelands of Kenya
  • Master of Science in Range Management, University of Nairobi, 2001-2004: Course work (Grade A); Thesis on: “Effects of communal and individual land tenure systems on land-use and food security in Kajiado District, Kenya
  • Bachelor of Science (Rangeland Resource Management) Degree, (Upper Second Honours), University of Nairobi: 1996-2000

Publications

  1. N’dakpaze Gno-Solim Ela, Daniel Olago, Amwata Dorothy Akinyi, Henri E.Z. Tonnang,
  2. Assessment of the effects of climate change on the occurrence of tomato invasive insect pests in Uganda (2023). Heliyon, 9(2), 2023, e13702, ISSN 2405-8440, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13702
  3. Irungu, R.W., Amwata, D.A. and Njoroge, J.M. (2022).Stakeholders’ role in the adoption of green practices among star rated hotels along coastal Kenya: partnerships and collaborations. International Journal of Advanced Engineering and Management Research, ISSN: 2456-3676, 7 (4) 68-79. https://www.ijaemr.com› pdf › IJAEMR_525/
  4. Simiyu, A. M., Gichaba, C. M., Amwata, D. A. and Opere, A. (2022). Factors influencing availability and conservation of green water for sustainable agricultural production and livelihoods in drylands of Kenya. Journal of Dryland Agriculture, 8(1):1-12
  5. Amwata, D. and Nyariki, D.M. (2022). Causes of Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in Semi-Arid Kenya: Application of a Stationary. Stochastic Model. Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Research, 14:134
  6. Amwata, A. and Nyariki, D.M. (2022). Total Economic Value of four selected counties in Northern and southern Rangelands: A comparative study. Submitted to Journal of Eastern Africa Studies (Under review).
  7. Bonzemo, S.B.,  Amwata, D.A., Olago, D.A., and  Olaka, L.A. (2022). The impacts of climate change on livelihoods in Kapsokwony Division in Mt. Elgon Sub-county, Kenya Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 11(1): 1-19 ISSN: 2334-2404 (Print), 2334-2412. DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v11n1a1 URL: https://doi.org/10.15640/jaes.v11n1a1
  8. Amwata, D.A. and Snelder, D. (2021). The influence of water resources on pastoral and agropastoral households’ food security in Kajiado District, Kenya. Researchjournali Journal of Agriculture, Volume 8(9): 1-14.www.researchjournali.com/
  9. Kyambo, O., Amwata, D.A. and Kilungo, J. (2021). Factors influencing delivery of extension services by the county governments after agricultural sector devolution in Kitui County, Kenya. International Journal of Education and Research, Vol. 9 No. 6 June 2021. www.ijern.com
  10. Amwata D.A., Nyariki D.M. (2021). Climate Variability, Land-Use, Pastoral and Agropastoral Livelihoods in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas of Kenya.World Journal of Innovative Research,10 (5)117-126. ISSN (online): 2454-8236. https://doi.org/10.31871
  11. Kyambo, O., Kilungo, J and Amwata, D.A (2021). The influence of selected socio-economic factors on farmers’ awareness of devolution of agricultural extension services in Kitui County, Kenya. American Journal of Agriculture, 3 (1): 1-20. ISSN (online) 2520-4678
  12. Onyango, R.D.L., Oludhe, C. and Amwata, D. A. (2020). Gender influence on access to and Control of Resources for coping to climate variability: A case of Mbita Fisher Community, Homa Bay County, Kenya. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change (formerly British Journal of Environment and Climate Change, Past2231-4784), 10 (11):8-18. ISSN: 2581 – 8627. Article number IJECC 60986
  13. Onyango, R.D.L., Oludhe, C. and Amwata, D.A. (2020). Exploration of knowledge, perception and adaptation strategies of the Mbita Fisher Community to climate Change and Climate variability. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change (formerly British Journal of Environment and Climate Change, Past2231-4784), 10 (9):154-169 ISSN: 2581 – 8627. Article number IJECC58334.
  14. Onyango, R.D.L., Oludhe, C. and Amwata, D. A. (2020). The Gendered Effects of Climate Variability/Change on Fisher Livelihoods and the Coping Strategies/Opportunities in Mbita, Homa Bay County, Kenya. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) Volume 4 Issue 5, July-August 2020 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470
  15. Ndungwa, A., Kanui, T.I. and Amwata, D.A. (2020). Livestock Production and Food Security Determinants in Kitui County: A Case of Kyangwithya East and Mutomo Wards. Lukenya University Multidisciplinary Journal (LUMJ), 1 (3): 185-196. ISSN: 2663 – 3163.
  16. Nyariki, D.M and Amwata, D.A. (2019). The Value of Pastoralism in Kenya: Application of Total Economic Value Approach.Journal of pastoralism: Policy and Reaserch, 2019 (9).https://DOI.org:10.1186/s13570-019-0144-x
  17. Addisu, A., Olago, D., Wandiga, S., Oriaso, S. and Amwata, D. A. (2019). Smallholder Farmers Vulnerability Level to Climate Change Impacts and Implications to Agricultural Production in Tigray Regional State, Northern Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Crops, Academic Research Publishing Group, 5(12), pages 237-250, 12-2019
  18. Amwata. D. A., Omondi P. O and Kituyi. E.(2018). Uptake and use of climate information services to enhance agriculture and food production among smallholder farmers in eastern and southern Africa Region. Interational Journal of Advanced Research, 6(5), 859-873 ISSN: 2320-5407.DOI:10.21474/IJAR01/7106. DOI URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/7106
  19. Nzevu, J.M., Amwata, D.A. and Mutua, A.K. (2018). Status of socio-economic parameters of fish farmers in Kitui Central Sub-county, Kitui County. Journal of Research in Agriculture and Animal Science, 5(1)28-41. ISSN (Online): 2321-9459. www.questjournals.org/
  20. Ndungwa, A., Kanui, T.I. and Amwata, D.A. (2018). The Status of livestock production systems in semi-arid farming and arid pastoral agro-ecological zones in Kitui County, Kenya. International Journal of Education and Research, (6): 2
  21. Mutavi, S.K., Amwata, D.A. (2018). Constraints and opportunities among small scale peri-urban dairy farmers in the south eastern Kenya rangelands. International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology, ISSN: 2313-3759,Volume 5(1 )
  22. Nzevu, J.M., Amwata, D.A. and Mutua, A.K. (2018).The contribution of fish farming to household wellbeing of Fish Farmers in Kitui Central Sub-County, Kitui County. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS), e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 11(1):69-76 iosrjournals.org/.
  23. Mganga, K.Z., Nyariki, D.M. N., Musimba, N.K.R. and Amwata, D.A. (2018). Determinants and rates of land degradation: Application of stationary time-series model to data from a semi-arid environment in Kenya. Journal of Arid Land, 10(1): 1–1 . Science Press Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany. http://jal.xjegi.com; springer.com/40333/
  24. Mutavi, SK., Kanui, TI, Njarui, DM., Musimba, NRK. and Amwata, D.A. (2016).  Innovativeness and adaptations: the way forward for small scale peri-urban dairy farmers in semi-arid regions of the south eastern kenya. International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovation Technology. ISSN2313-3759(3)5
  25. Nguku, S.A., Njarui, D.N., Musimba, NKR, Amwata, D.A. and Kaindi, E.2016. Primary production variables of Brachiaria grass cultivars in Kenya drylands. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 19: 29 – 39
  26. Mwobobia R. M., Kanui T. I, Amwata D. A. and Nguku A.S. (2016). Comparing use of ethno veterinary products among rural and periurban chicken farmers in Katulani District, Kenya International Journal of Advanced Research (2016), Volume 4, Issue 1, 550- 558
  27. Murangiri, M.R., Amwata, D.A. and Kanui, T.I.(2016). Extension Support Services among Poultry Farmers, a Case of Katulani District, Kitui County. International Journal of Livestock Research, 6 (3), 8-15. doi:10.5455/ijlr.20160313125928
  28. Amwata D. A., Nyariki, D. M; Musimba, N.R.K (2015).  Factors influencing agropastoral and pastoral households’ vulnerability to food insecurity in the drylands of Kenya: A Case study of Kajiado and Makueni Counties. Journal of International Development, https://DOI.org/10.1002.:3123
  29. Nyasimi M., Amwata, D. A., Hove L, Kinyangi, J., Wamukoya, G. (2014). Evidence of Impact: Climate-Smart Agriculture in Africa. CCAFS Working Paper no. 86. Copenhagen, Denmark: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).
  30. Amwata D. A. and Mganga, K. Z. (2014). The African Elephant, Loxodonta africana, and Food Security in Africa: Experiences from Baringo District, Kenya. The African elephant specialized group/Journal, Pachyderm, 55: 9 – 15
  31. Amwata, D. A., Omondi, P.O. and Bitok, E. (2006). Human-wildlife in Baringo District, Kenya: case of elephants in Mochongoi forest. The African elephant specialized group/Journal, Pachyderm, 41: 30-36
  32. Briki M., Ben Khatra N., Jauffret S., Amwata D. A., Requier Desjardins M., Benhanafia K., Lamine Gacemi M. Hassani A. 2007; Combining local observation and remote sensing for rangeland monitoring in arid zones» Actes du colloque Range Monitoring Expert Consultation Meeting organise par la FAO, Le Caire, 26-28 November 2007.

Other Publications and policy briefs

  1. Radeny M, Amwata D.A. Hunt S, Mungai C, Tumbo M, Eshetu Z, Tolo A, Butare L, Auma J, Solomon D. (2022). Review of Policies and Frameworks on Climate Change, Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security in Eastern Africa. AICCRA working paper no. 3. Nairobi, Kenya: Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research in Africa (AICCRA).
  2. Amwata, D.A. (2020). Kenya’s Agrifood and Nutrition Industry. The role of the Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions (ATVET). Policy brief No.4.The Agakhan University , East Africa Instituye, Nairbi, Kenya. https://www.aku. edu/.
  3. Amwata D.A., Tumbo M, Mungai C, Radeny M, Solomon D. (2020). Review of policies and frameworks on climate change, agriculture, food and nutrition security in Tanzania. CCAFS Info Note. Wageningen, Netherlands: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/108879/.
  4. Mungai, C, Amwata D, Radeny M, Tolo CU, Solomon D. (2020). Review of policies and frameworks on climate change, agriculture, food and nutrition security in Uganda. Info Note. Wageningen, Netherlands: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). CCAFS .https://hdl.handle.net/10568/109011/.
  5. Amwata D.A., Eshetu Z, Mungai C, Solomon D, Radeny M. (2020). Review of policies and frameworks on climate change, agriculture, food and nutrition security in Ethiopia. CCAFS Info Note. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/108473/.
  6. Mungai C, Amwata D, A., Radeny M, Butare L, Solomon D. 2020. Review of policies and frameworks on climate change, agriculture, food and nutrition security in Rwanda. CCAFS Info Note. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/109687/.
  7. Amwata, D.A., Mungai, C., Radeny, M., Solomon, D. (2019). Review of policies and frameworks on climate change, agriculture, food and nutrition security in Kenya. CCAFS Info Note. Wageningen, Netherlands: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/105882/