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    About Prof. Paul Njiruh Nthakanio

    Prof. Paul Njiruh Nthakanio

    Name: Prof. Paul Njiruh Nthakanio, PhD

    Title: Associate Professor

    Position: Registrar Planning Administration and Finance

    Department: Water and Agricultural Resource Management

    School: School of Agriculture

    Area of Specialization: Genetics, Crop Breeding, Biotechnology

    Contact Address: P.O. Box 6301-00100, Nairobi

    Prof, Paul Njiruh Nthakanio is PhD holder from Zhejiang University China. He is a disguised scholar, researcher, consultant and entrepreneur with significant contribution in genetics research, teaching and management of higher education in Kenyan. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding and a Registrar Planning, Administration and Finance at the University of Embu. Before joining University of Embu Prof. Nthakanio worked at Technical University of Kenya where he is the founding of chairman of the department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. He has also taught in Kenya Polytechnic, Rift Technical Training Institutes and in Secondary school. Prof. Nthakanio is in the first cohort of initial 8 projective registered with Kenya Innovation Agency under Research to Commercialization (R2C) programme. In the R2C programme, he is the principal innovator in Bio-based Fertilizer, a product to promote climate smart agriculture. His current project is Integrated Approach to Produce Super Yielding Basmati370 Hybrid Rice Seeds for Farmers, where he is the principal investigator (PI). Under the project the following are research lines; a) production of hybrid basmati through environment genetic genic male sterility gene (Thermosensitve –Photoperiod sensitive genic male sterility) technology b) gene pyramiding aroma genes (QTLs) to make a super aromatic rice, c) production of adaptive and climate resilience basmati through introgression of drought tolerance genes, d) restructuring basmati rice to a dwarf basmati to reduce lodging and post maturity losses e) breeding for basmati with enhance disease resistance f)use of doubled Haploid (DH) methods to hasten breeding. He is an expert reviewer with; a) Commission of Higher Education and b) National Biosafety Authority. He has participated and reviewed programmes in National Commission of Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) and National Research Fund (NRF). Additionally, he has been Chairman of Department at Technical University of Kenya and University of Embu.

  • Publications

    Latest Publications

    Prof. Paul Njiruh Nthakanio Publications

    Latest Publications

    1. Cecilia A. Shinda , Nthakanio PN Gitari JN, Runo S Simon Mukono S Samuel Maina S (2022) Nutrient content of sorghum hybrid lines between Gadam and hard coat tannin sorghum cultivars, Food Science & Nutrition. 2022; 00:1–11. DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2830,

    2. Muchoka P.N, Mugendi, D. N, Njiruh, P.N, Onyari, C, Mbugua, P.K and Njeru E.M (2020) Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonization in the Rhizosphere of Aspilia pruliseta Schweif. ext Schweif in the Semiarid Eastern Kenya, Air, Soil and Water Research, 13: 1–10

    3. Muchoka J. P., Mugendi, D. N, Njiruh P. N, Onyari C. N, Mbugua P. K and Njeru E. M. (2020) Mycorrhiza co-association with Aspilia pruliseta Schweif. and phosphorus uptake effects on growth of gadam sorghum in the semi-arid lower Eastern Kenya, Journal of Dryland Agriculture, Vol. 6(5), pp. 46-53, DOI: 10.5897/JODA2020.0048

    4. Kiema A. M, Kitilit J. K, Nthakanio P. N, Kios D. K. and Rachuonyo H. (2020) The Effect of Upgrading Indigenous Goat Breeds with German Alpine on Milk Yields at Manyatta Division of Embu County. African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, July, 2020, Vol 6, No. 1.

    5. Gichimu, B. M, Muthee, A.I and Nthakanio P.N (2020) Agronomic Benefits of Shubhodaya-Mycorrhizal Bio-Fertilizer on Banana, Production in Embu County, Kenya, Journal of Agronomy, ISSN 1812-5379, DOI: 10.3923/ja.2020.65.75.

    6. Oyange, W.A. Kanya J.I., Chemining’wa G.N. and Njiruh P.N. (2020) Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Azolla Accessions in Kenya, Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 23 (2020): #70.

    7. Oyange, W.A, Chemining’wa, G.N, Kanya, J.I, Njiruh P.N (2020) Effect of time of Azolla incorporation and inorganicfertilizer application on growth and yield of Basmati rice African Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 15(3):464-472, DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2019.14456.

    8. WA Oyange, GN Chemining’wa, JI Kanya, PN Njiruh (2019) Azolla Fern in Mwea Irrigation Scheme and Its Potential Nitrogen Contribution in Paddy Rice Production, Journal of Agricultural Science; Vol. 11, No. 18; 2019. URL: https://doi.org/10.5539.

    9. Oyange, W.A, Chemining’wa, G.N, Kanya, J.I and Njiruh P.N (2019), Effects of Azolla Biomass Growth On Flood WateraTemperature and pH, Tillering and Yield of Paddy Rice, Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 22 (2019): 785 – 794.

    10. Arphaxard Ireri Muthee, Bernard Mukiri Gichimu and Paul Njiruh Nthakanio (2019). Analysis of banana production practices and constraints in Embu County, Kenya. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 9(1), 123-132.

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  • Grants

    Grants

    Grants Awarded

    1. Integrated Approach to Produce Super Yielding Basmati 370 Hybrid Rice Seeds for Farmers KES. 19,833,620, PI, Paul Njiruh Nthakanio (University of EmbU) James Ireri Kanya (UoN), Raphael K, Wanjogu (NIB), John Kimani Munji (KARLO), Esther Magiri (DeKUT), Rose Musila KALRO, Samuel Nduati Kariuki Samuel UoEm, Ruth Musila, Avedi Khamonya Edith (KELPHIS), 2020-2023.

    2. Co-researcher, Breaking the bottlenecks to sustainable banana production, value addition and commercialization for improved food security and livelihoods. A collaborative research project under the climate-smart crops. Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP).

    3. Enhancing chain performance of hard endosperm sorghum and their crossbreeds with Gadam sorghum in sampled ASAL regions of Kenya. Ksh 0.7M, PI, Giatri JN and Co-PIs; Nthakanio PN, Susan Gachura, Milka Nyaga.

    4. Harnessing Recombinant Technology to Promote Kenyan Indigenous latex rubber plants for community based enterprise. Ksh. 2million, PI Louse Ngari, Ms. Loise; Collaborators, Kem Githui, Marion Warigia (KU), Paul Njiruh (EUC), Nyamu Murithi (NMK), 2013-2015.

    5. Community Management of Habitats for Sentinel versus Vector snails in the Control.

    6. Schistosomiasis in Kenya's Irrigated Wetlands. Ksh 8.0million Kem Githui (PI); Co-Investigator. Farah I,O; Rashid Aman; Paul Njiruh; Nguu, EK, Charles Warui, 2013-2016.

    7. Production of Blast Resistant and High Yielding Basmati 370 Hybrids Rice. National Council for Science and Technology (NSCT) Kenya - Food security project 2011-8million. Principal Investigator, Paul Njiruh Nthakanio, Co-Investigators; James Ieri Kanya (UoN), Raphael K, Wanjogu (National Irrigation Board), John Kimani Munji (KARI), 2011-2016.

    8. Production of blast resistant and super yielding Basmati 370 hybrid rice: 8million National Irrigation Board (NIB)- 2013. Paul Njiruh Nthakanio (PI), Co-Investigators; James Ieri Kanya (UoN), Raphael K, Wanjogu (National Irrigation Board), John Kimani Munji (KARI), ongoing.

    9. Kenya-Korean Government Rice project PI- Vincent Kega (KALRO); Co-Investigator, Paul Njiruh Nthakanio (EUC), Dr, Margret Kigondu, KALRO, Catherine Muriithi (KALRO): 3million, 2012-2016.

    10. Establishing Bioinformatics Public Database Hub at the Kenya Polytechnic University College (KPUC) on SUNFIRE 6900 Machine Platform: 2012, Equipment donation.

  • Seminars & Workshops

    Seminars & Workshops

    Seminars

    1. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio (2019) Induction of nodulation signals in common bean, Phaseolus valgaris by different soil growth media. 3rd World Plant Genomics, Osaka, Japan.

    2. Nthakanio N.P. and E. Kenya (2018) Decolonizing Pedagogy Examining Sites of Resistance, Resurgence, and Renewal, Role of Latent Local Technologies and Innovations2018 CIARS, Decolonizing Conference held on November 8 – 10, 2018, Toronto, Canada.

    3. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio and Eucharia Kenya (2018) Decolonizing Pedagogy Examining Sites of Resistance, Resurgence, and Renewal (Role of Latent Local Technologies and Innovations to Catapult Development in Kenya).

    4. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio and Eucharia Kenya (2018) Transformative Science and Technologies for Bioeconomy in Africa, Decolonizing Education Conference, 26th to 28th June 2018, University of Embu, Kenya.

    5. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio, Kanya James Ireri, Kimani John Munj, Wanjogu Raphael Kinyanjui (2018) Use of Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) Method to Produce Superior Lines of Basmati Origin. Kenya Rice Researchers Forum Symposium 19th - 20th Sept, 2018 At Eagles Palace Hotel-Nakuru.

    6. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio, Kanya James Ireri, Kimani John Munji, Wanjogu Rapheal Kinyanjui (2016) Use of Basmati Recombinant Inbreed Lines (RILs) Method to produce Superior lines of Basmati Origin. Conference Proceeding for the 5th National Science Week. National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation. P 128-134.

    7. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio (2016) Human Capacity Building for GMO Technology in Kenya, Kemri, Biotechnology Symposium 10th February, 2016. Boma Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

    8. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio, Kanya James Ireri, Kimani John Munji, Wanjogu Rapheal Kinyanjui, (2015) Advances in basmati370 and EGMS hybridization, Kenya Rice Researchers’ Forum Symposium, 4TH December 2015, Naivasha, Kenya.

    9. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio, Wakhungu Jacob (2015) Potential of bio-/agro-terrorism in Kenya, 4th Annual Biosafety Conference, 11-15th August 2015, Kenya School of Monetary Studies at Ruaraka, Nairobi.

    10. Njiruh Paul Nthakanio, Kanya James Ireri, Kimani John Munji, Wanjogu Rapheal Kinyanjui (2015) Genetic Distortion and Extreme Segregation in Advanced Generation of Cross Between Basmati370 and EGMS Lines. Pg. 10, NACOSTI 4th National Science week 11-15th 2015. Chancellors Court, University of Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Accounts

    Accounts

    1. ORCiD number

    2. Google Scholar profile

    3. Research Gate

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