Micheline Inamahoro’s rise from Learning to Leading Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Burundi

For more than two decades, Micheline Inamahoro has contributed to strengthening agricultural systems in Burundi through her work at the Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU), where her recent promotion to Head of Research signals not only a personal achievement, but a measurable maturation of national research capacity. Her career reflects a broader transition: how sustained and targeted investment in human capital development and institutional strengthening can yield long-term, system-wide impact.  

Her academic journey, supported by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) began in 2007, when she received a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree (MSc) at Makerere University (Uganda) under the SCARDA and ASARECA initiative. At Makerere’s Kabanyolo Agricultural Research and Training Centre, she joined the first cohort of the MSc in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems programme. This training served as an investment to her knowledge in crop improvement concepts that would later support breeding programme’s and collaborative research, with institutions such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

At the national level, her work bridges the persistent gap between research outputs and farmer adoption. By focusing on improved crop varieties, integrated pest management, and climate-resilient practices, she contributes to shifting agriculture from subsistence vulnerability toward productivity and resilience. This transition is particularly significant in the context of increasing climate variability, where the adoption of drought-tolerant crops and sustainable land management practices prominently influences food security outcomes. Furthermore, Micheline is paying it forward and creating a multiplier effect by mentoring young scientists to embed expertise within local systems.

RUFORUM has remained a stable partner throughout her journey, supporting not only her Master’s training but also facilitating her PhD at Stellenbosch University through the SHARE programme and other collaborative funding mechanisms. She also extends gratitude for additional support from partners such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York for further enabling her to strengthen her research and mentorship capacity.

Today, as a research leader, Micheline’s emphasis on practical skills and communication reflects a growing recognition that technological solutions alone are insufficient without effective knowledge translation and user engagement.

Looking ahead, her vision aligns closely with regional and national priorities around inclusive innovation, youth employment, and sustainable agri-food systems. Her story offers a compelling case for sustained investment in people, institutions, and partnerships.

      Dr. Ir. Micheline Inamahoro- Director of the Research Department at the Institute of Agronomic Sciences of Burundi (ISABU)