Edrick Bwambale
I am a 29 year old highly experienced agronomist and crop scientist with a passion for driving innovation in the agricultural sector. With over 7 years of experience, I possess a deep understanding of crop management, agro-forestry, agribusiness development, research methodologies and project management. My leadership journey began in 2021 with the founding of the Sustainable Agri-Food Initiative (SAFI), a social enterprise dedicated to tackling food insecurity, climate change, and improving the livelihoods of marginalized farmers. Through SAFI, I leverage my technical expertise and strategic vision to design and execute transformative projects that promote food security, agribusiness development, and environmental conservation. My focus lies on creating environmentally sustainable and inclusive solutions that drive job creation and economic growth. In recognition of my efforts, SAFI received the prestigious UN's SDG 1: No Poverty Award in Lusaka, Zambia, at the 5th African Youth SDGs Summit (August 2023). Further demonstrating my commitment to innovation, I participated in a collaborative project (Helmets Labeling Crops by NASA Harvest with the University of Maryland) for 2 years. This project pioneered a novel approach for generating machine learning-ready datasets through rapid data collection with specialized helmets and crowdsourcing techniques. I am a passionate advocate for building a more sustainable and equitable food system, and I am eager to collaborate with individuals and organizations who share this vision.