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Umair Safdar
Development Communication Executive and Project Manager
CABI, Opposite 1-A, Data Gunj Baksh Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Qualifications
PRINCE2 Foundation Project Management; PhD in Agricultural Extension; MSc (Hons) in Agricultural Extension; BSc (Hons) in Agriculture
About
I have been working in the research and development sector since 2011 and have considerable experience in research-based development interventions.
Currently, I am working as Development Communications Lead for CABI (Central & West Asia office), Pakistan and Project Manager of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency funded ‘Capacity building of potato growers’ project. I am involved in developing, delivering and reporting on mass communications campaigns designed to change agricultural behaviour by sharing knowledge, encouraging discussion and helping communities identify their own priorities to enhance agricultural business.
I am also involved in CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme in Pakistan and other Asian countries. In addition to this role, I am also responsible for the corporate marketing and communications activities at CABI’s centre in Pakistan.
My areas of expertise include programme management and coordination, institutional capacity building, climate change, gender mainstreaming, rural livelihoods and development communications. I am fully acquainted with all aspects of programming (needs assessment, programme design, strategy development, research, and monitoring, evaluation and learning) with special expertise in Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC).
CABI centre: Pakistan
CABI’s centre in Pakistan coordinates our activities in Central and Western Asia. Small-scale farming here is widespread, employing a large percentage of the population in many areas. Agriculture contributes heavily towards the region’s economy and its development.
Related projects
Capacity building of small-scale potato growers in Punjab Pakistan
Potato is an important crop in Pakistan for both consumers and producers. It is nutritious, produces high returns and there is a potential to increase yields by using good potato cultivation practices. However, a lack of knowledge concerning these is inhibiting many smallholder farmers in their effort to raise productivity. Furthermore, unsuitable management of threats, such as pests and diseases, increases losses. In this project, CABI aims to mitigate challenges faced in the smallholder potato sector by building the capacity of small-scale potato growers, and in particular women, in good agricultural practices, including the sustainable and safe use of pesticides, in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
Start: 01/12/20 -End: 31/05/23