CJM (Conny) Almekinders

Dr. CJM (Conny) Almekinders is an External Employee and University Lecturer at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Department of Knowledge Technology and Innovation. His research focuses on agricultural technology development, particularly the interplay between technical and social change in rural communities. He specializes in plant genetic resources, farmer-based seed systems, participatory breeding, and political agronomy. Almekinders has supervised over 20 PhD students and remains active in mentoring junior researchers and practitioners in CGIAR-related seed system projects. He co-leads the CGIAR Seed Equality initiative and serves as a Senior Editor for the Food Security journal since 2018.

His expertise spans agriculture, seed production, and development sociology, with recent publications addressing seed system design, farmer variety preferences in Kenya, and methodological approaches to studying seed demand. He contributes to interdisciplinary research promoting inclusive innovation and sustainable agricultural practices.

Almekinders previously held teaching responsibilities but now focuses on research collaboration and advisory roles. His work emphasizes bridging plant sciences with social sciences to address global agricultural challenges.