J (Johann) Bonnand

I am a Seed and Horticulture Advisor at Wageningen Social & Economic Research with a strong background in agronomy, rural development, and sector transformation. Raised in a rural environment, I developed an early connection with agriculture. After completing engineering studies in agronomy in France, I earned a master’s degree in Urban Environmental Management from Wageningen University. My academic journey ended with a role at East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer, where I conducted impact assessments of agricultural extension services across Southeast Asia.

From 2018 to 2023, I worked at Wageningen Plant Research within the Field Crops business unit, designing and implementing capacity-building programs in sustainable vegetable production for professionals in the Global South. My contributions included climate-smart action research, agro-economic analyses, and developing sustainability tools. Over time, my focus expanded to horticultural sector transformation, where I engaged in projects analyzing sector performance, piloting innovative solutions for smallholder farmers, and contributing to online courses on horticulture development.

Since 2021, I have specialized in seed sector development, particularly in Africa. This includes developing national seed roadmaps for the governments of Mali and Niger, conducting seed entrepreneur assessments in Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, and fostering business-to-business opportunities between local seed entrepreneurs and international seed companies. Additionally, I have supported private sector development by facilitating Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and providing technical support to seed entrepreneurs across Africa.