Dr. Heslon Gabriel Rugalema to guide Eastern and Southern Africa operations for the World Vegetable Center

SHANHUA, TAIWAN — 1 October 2019 — Small-scale vegetable farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa have a new advocate in Dr. Heslon Gabriel Rugalema, who has been appointed by the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) to lead its Eastern and Southern Africa operations in Arusha, Tanzania.

As Regional Director, Dr. Rugalema will collaborate with donors and partners, develop new projects, and extend the research, development, and capacity-building work of WorldVeg through networks to benefit farmers and consumers all along the region’s vegetable value chain.

Dr. Rugalema brings a wealth of experience in coordinating international development initiatives to the post. As Representative/Country Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Kenya since 2016, he managed a large and diverse field program portfolio of more than USD 90 million for both the Kenya country program as well as regional programs covering the broader East African region.

During his service as a United Nations Resident Coordinator, he led a multitude of national and international institutions in a successful response to an Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in 2015-2016.

“Gabriel’s strengths are rooted in policy development to benefit farming communities,“ said Dr. Marco Wopereis, Director General of the World Vegetable Center. “His proven ability to build strong and productive partnerships will help improve seed systems and food safety, and promote healthier diets and job creation throughout East Africa.”

Dr. Rugalema, a Tanzanian national, received his PhD degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands.

The World Vegetable Center established operations in Eastern and Southern Africa in 1992 in Arusha, Tanzania.

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