People

Ghislain Tepa-Yotto is a holder of a Ph.D. degree in Plant Science/Plant Health-Plant Protection obtained at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). He obtained his Ph.D. under the framework of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in a vegetable systems project in Benin, funded by the Research Council of Norway.

Primarily being an agricultural engineer, his professional background encompasses research for development for plant health. Additionally, he is interested in holistic approaches as a foundation for developing and delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for food security. Originally, he taught as senior lecturer at the National University of Agriculture (UNA-Benin). His special focus links to invasive species management and the development of digital agriculture including early warning and rapid response tools under the climate-smart agriculture approach. During the past decade, Ghislain Tepa-Yotto has been instrumental to build-up strategic networks and to catalyze enhanced collaboration for national and farmer adaptation to climate change. 

Currently, he works for IITA as visiting scientist and coordinator of the Biorisk Management Facility (BIMAF). Present activities comprise the lead of integrated pest management workstreams within the projects ‘Climate-smart agricultural technologies for improved rural livelihoods and food security in Mali and Niger’. The project is funded by the embassy of Norway in Mali. He has good oral and written communication skills in French and English.