Milton Malama
Agricultural Economist
Chililabombwe,Copperbelt
Summary
Dynamic Community Outreach Consultant with a proven track record at CIMMYT, excelling in climate-smart agriculture and gender-responsive programming. Successfully trained 84 facilitators, enhancing community engagement and capacity building. Proficient in data analysis, driving impactful research initiatives that inform policy and foster sustainable agribusiness development.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Outreach and Interventions Consultant
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Led community interventions under the ATUBANDIKE/Backfeed project, reaching 2,800 farmers across Southern Province.
- Co-designed and tested gender- and youth-inclusive digital extension advisory systems.
- Trained 84 community facilitators as rural digital champions and Redesigned the Viamo Hotline menu to improve farmer accessibility.
- Trained 28 Community Social Change Makers to uphold Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI).
- Managed budgets, reporting, and community engagement strategies for climate-smart agricultural practice.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build, nurture, and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. Maintain an up-to-date stakeholder database and matrix to identify community engagement opportunities and related initiatives.
- Community and Institutional Liaison: Engage frequently with community leaders, the Ministry of Agriculture, planning authorities, and private-sector partners such as VIAMO.
- Conflict and Grievance Management: Address and resolve conflicts and grievances raised against digital champions to maintain community trust.
- System Strengthening: Lead efforts to strengthen systems that support viable community projects and sustainable Agribusiness enterprises.
- Digital Infrastructure Development: Drive the development of digital extension infrastructure in partnership with government agencies and local communities.
- Climate-Smart Integration: Incorporate climate-smart practices such as Conservation farming across community initiatives.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Prepare timely and accurate weekly, monthly, and annual reports on community development initiatives, highlighting achievements, constraints, and strategies for improvement.
- Project Design and Documentation: Develop concept notes, project implementation protocols, proposals, and program documents to support community Engagement efforts.
- CIMMYT/CGIAR
Research Associate Consultant
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Coordinated baseline and Midline surveys for CSA adoption studies in Choma, Monze, and Kalomo districts.
- Supervised enumerator teams, managed data collection logistics, and produced survey tools and reports.
- Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data, contributing to publications and policy briefs.
- Implemented High Frequency Checks (HFC) during Baseline and Midline Survey.
- CIMMYT/CGIAR
Survey Coordinator/Supervisor Roles
ICIPE, IITA, AGOVA, CIMMYT
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Directed socio-economic and gender impact studies on fruit fly IPM, conservation agriculture, and smallholder farming systems.
- Supervised field teams across 20+ districts, ensuring quality data collection using CAPIs and Survey Solutions.
- Facilitated and supervised FGDs, KIIs, and farmer engagement sessions, producing actionable insights for donor-funded projects.
Earlier Roles
Ministry of Agriculture, CARE International, Makerere University, Standard Bank
01.2010 - 01.2020
- Acting District Market Development Officer – Ministry of Agriculture: Led agribusiness market analysis and value chain facilitation.
- Business Development Consultant – Azatisa Clinics/Ex-Miners Cooperative: Designed growth strategies and client engagement.
- Junior Business Advisor – CARE International: Supported agro-dealer business growth and food security programs.
- Lecturer & Research Assistant – Makerere University in Uganda: Taught agricultural marketing and SME development.
- Intern – Standard Chartered Bank: Supported customer service and compliance activities.
Education
MSc - Agricultural & Applied Economics (CMAAE)
Makerere University
Uganda01.2015
MSc - Environmental Economics (CMAAE)
University of Pretoria
South Africa01.2014
BSc - Agricultural Economics (Credit)
University of Zambia
Zambia01.2010
GCE O-Level -
Matero Boys Secondary School
01.2003
Skills
- Agricultural and environmental economics
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Research design
- Data analysis and surveys
- Statistical software proficiency
- Community engagement strategies
- Gender-responsive programming
- Policy and market analysis
- Training and mentorship
- Capacity building initiatives
- Microsoft Office suite
Awards Scholarships
- African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) Masters Scholarship, USD 17,600, Makerere University, Uganda, 2013
- AERC Environmental Economics Specialization Grant, USD 7,000, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 2014
- AERC Industrial Attachment Grant, USD 7,500, Ministry of Agriculture Zambia, 2020
Languages
- English, Fluent
- Bemba
- Nyanja
Publications
- Designing with farmers: Inclusive Lessons from developing a Phygital (In-person + mobile) extension platform in Zambia, 07/01/25, https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Milton-Malama-2319101600
- TROPENTAG POSTER: Bridging Digital Divides for Inclusive Diffusion of Climate-smart Agricultural Practices in Zambia., https://www.tropentag.de/2024/abstracts/posters/706.pdf
- Willingness to Pay for Improved Irrigation Water Supply in Zambia: Case of Kabwe City – AgEcon, 2015, https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/243448?ln=en
References
- Dr. Monica Grace Fisher, Senior Scientist/Team Leader Atubandike Project, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Nairobi/Kenya, +1971-719-1702, M.FISHER@cgiar.org, monicaf@uidaho.edu
- Gweeny Chitika, Project Manager, Soyabeans Breeding Programme, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), +260 977947249, G.Chitika@cgiar.org, gchitikamunalula@gmail.com
- Mr. James Ngulube, Regional Agribusiness Officer, ZATPII, +260 978 902 539, Jngulube2010@gmail.com
Conferences Training Certificates
University of Pretoria, Centre for Environmental Economic Policy in Africa (CEEPA), PhD level training course in Empirical tools to investigate preferences and economic behaviour for the management of natural resources: Revealed preference methods, stated preference methods and CHOICE experiments economics, 07/10/14, 10/10/14
Religious Experience
- Publicity Secretary and Bible Study Cell Overseer, Grace Campus Fellowship – Grace Ministries International, 01/01/06, 12/31/10, Led first-year student evangelism, counselling and mentorship.
- Programmes Coordinator, University Christian Community (UCC) – UNZA, 01/01/07, 12/31/10, Overseeing 100+ chaplain-led activities., Led 20+ outreach missions and five prison missions.
- Publicity Secretary, UNZA Christian Interdenominational Forum (UNZACIF), 01/01/07, 12/31/10, Responsible for religious visibility and engagement., Preached to 1,000+ students and organized 100+ worship nights., Launched the 'Gospel Invasion' and introduced Youth for Christ in partnership with Nigerian missionaries.
- Minister, International Evangelism, 01/01/13, 12/31/15, Ministered in Uganda, Kenya and South Africa, reaching 1,100+ people cumulatively.
- Youth Patron, Pentecostal Assemblies of God, 01/01/16, 12/31/19, Led youth evangelism programmes and guided over 200 young people to faith., Preached to 500+ adults in community outreach sessions.
- Founder & Coordinator, Grace Revolution Youth Movement, Chililabombwe, 01/01/17, 12/31/17, Mobilized 400+ youth across denominations., Introduced Youth Insaka mentorship in 15 churches., Coordinated donations of cement, blankets, clothes and shoes to churches and congregants.
- Missions Coordinator, Interdenominational Programmes, Copperbelt, 01/01/18, 12/31/23, Oversees evangelism initiatives for youth, women and men across the province.
Timeline
Community Outreach and Interventions Consultant
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
01.2024 - 01.2025
Research Associate Consultant
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
01.2023 - 01.2024
Survey Coordinator/Supervisor Roles
ICIPE, IITA, AGOVA, CIMMYT
01.2021 - 01.2023
Earlier Roles
Ministry of Agriculture, CARE International, Makerere University, Standard Bank
01.2010 - 01.2020
MSc - Agricultural & Applied Economics (CMAAE)
Makerere University
MSc - Environmental Economics (CMAAE)
University of Pretoria
BSc - Agricultural Economics (Credit)
University of Zambia
GCE O-Level -
Matero Boys Secondary School