Phyllis Okinyi

A Kenyan environmental scientist pioneering sustainable agricultural practices to combat food insecurity in East Africa.

Dr. Phyllis Okinyi (b. 1978) has dedicated her career to addressing food insecurity through innovative agroecological methods. Growing up in rural Kenya, she witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of soil degradation on smallholder farmers. Her research focuses on agroecology, blending traditional knowledge with modern science to create low-cost, high-yield farming systems.

Okinyi’s groundbreaking work on biochar—a charcoal-like substance that enriches soil—has transformed arid regions into arable land. She co-founded the Green Earth Initiative, training over 10,000 farmers in Kenya and Uganda to adopt drought-resistant crops like finger millet and cassava. Her methods have increased crop yields by 60% in some areas, as reported by the World Bank.

What sets Okinyi apart is her grassroots approach. Unlike top-down solutions, she empowers communities to become self-reliant. Her advocacy for women’s participation in agriculture has shifted gender dynamics in conservative regions. By merging ecology with equity, Okinyi exemplifies how localized action can make a difference on a global scale.