Otim Fred

Lecturer


Mr. Otim Fred holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Makerere University, Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from Gulu University and a Master of Science in Crop Science from Makerere University. He joined Gulu University in 2005 as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Agronomy and was promoted to position of a Lecturer in 2010. His current research interest seeks to harness plant bio-resources including biochar and other novel technologies to fill key niches in understanding plant-biotic/abiotic interactions in order to increase crop resilience to new and re-emerging plant diseases, ensure increased crop yield and contribute towards climate change adaptation and mitigation. He is a national Plant Doctor’s Trainer (Plantwise/CABI), DIT facilitator (Mushroom production), lectures Plant Pathology/Nematology, Plant Disease Epidemiology and Management and has contributed to a number of community engagement projects within the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University.

Qualifications

Institution Period Degree obtained
Makerere University 2006-2010 MSc Crop Science
Gulu University 2004-2005 PGD- Project Planning & Management
Makerere University 1999-2003 B.Sc. Agriculture

Research Interests


His current research interest seeks to harness plant bio-resources including biochar and other novel technologies to fill key niches in understanding plant-biotic/abiotic interactions in order to increase crop resilience to new and re-emerging plant diseases, ensure increased crop yield and contribute towards climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Publications

A. Manjawire, P. Omara, V. Martinsen, R. K. Srivastava, F. Otim, T. L. Provin, R. Schnell, and A . (2026) . Biofortification of finger millet with zinc and iron under biochar amendment: Effects of soil and foliar fertilization on yield and grain quality . Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
P. Omara, L. Aula, F. Otim, A. Obia, J. L. B. Souza, and D. B . (2022) . Biochar Applied with Inorganic Nitrogen Improves Soil Carbon, Nitrate and Ammonium Content of a Sandy Loam Temperate Soil
Odongo, W., Okello, D.M ., Otim, F., Aliro, T ., Kalule, S.W . & Elolu, S. (2020). . (2020) . Enhancing the student enterprise training (SES) at Gulu University, July 2020, Conference: The RUFORUM Sixth Biennial Regional Conference 22 – 26 October 2018, At: Nairobi, Kenya . Nairobi, Kenya:
Odongo W. & Otim F & Mugonola B. (2012) . (2012) . Capacity building of small holder farmers in Gulu district on agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills: A paper presented at a symposium organized by JICA/AICAD Jomo Kenyata University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya in February 2012 , p. 13. Available at: https://silo.tips/download/african-institute-for-capacity-development-aicad

Projects

Consultant: Training on safe use and handling of pesticides for Feed the Future IAM
    Otim Fred
Climate-Smart Innovations in Agriculture in Uganda
    Otim Fred
Consultant: Training of trainers in Climate Smart Farmer Field School Methodology, SNV, and Netherland’s development organization. Developed a climate-smart training material for soybean and simsim value chains in northern Uganda
    Otim Fred
Promoting Farm based Micro-Enterprises in refugee settlements and host-communities of Arua and Adjumani districts (Uganda)
    Otim Fred
Business Partnership Brokerage Services for Switch Africa Green project, a UNOPS funded consultancy for B-SPACE (U) Ltd
    Otim Fred - Developed training manual for good agronomic practices (GAP) in the Albert Nile Region, conducted training on GAP for vegetable growers and agri-entrepreneurship for each farmer group-lodge deal
Monitoring and Evaluation of the Switch Africa Green (SAG) Project (Component-B)
    Otim Fred
Enhancing Capacity for Agricultural Research and Training (ECART) in Gulu University
    Otim Fred
Capacity building of staff from Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology and Ministry of Agriculture, Jonglei State, South Sudan
    Otim Fred
The Fruit farming project: training farmers in fruit farming as a business in 11 districts in northern Uganda
    Otim Fred
Training of extension service providers in Unity State, South Sudan, organized by Mercy corps, South Sudan. Focused on horticulture & integrated disease management.
    Otim Fred
Training of extension service providers in Unity State, South Sudan, organized by World Relief.
    Otim Fred

Supervision


(1) Ariong Godfrey (2024): Effects of Fresh Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Substitution on Physico-Chemical, Sensory and Storage Properties of Beef Sausage.
(2) Amadra Sabino (2023): Understanding Shea (Vitellaria Paradoxa) Conservation from a Soil Fertility Perspective in Parkland Agroforestry
(3) Ogwal Lawrence (2022): Effects of Organic and NPK Fertilizer on Soil-Plant Heavy Metal Concentration and Yield of Upland Rice in Northern Uganda

More Information

Year Institution/College Training/Qualification
CAB International National Plant Doctor’s Trainer
June, 2016 African Biosystems Limited/Joint Clinical Research Centre, Lubowa, Uganda Next Generation Sequencing using Semi-Conductor Sequencing Platform (Ion Torrent)
August, 2015 Gulu University Certificate: ToT on Food Safety & Related Hazards and Principles of Analytical Techniques for Food Microbiology
August, 2014 Wageningen University, Experimental Plant Sciences, The Netherlands Certificate in Bioinformatics – A User’s Approach
April, 2013 ICRA, Wageningen, The Netherlands Certificate in InterActive Learning Competency for Rural Innovation in Higher Education
March, 2011 WCS/USAID Wildlife Program, Northern Uganda Certificate in Geo-spatial Information for Conservation and Development
2005 Uganda Management Institute Certificate in Project Planning and Management using Microsoft Project Software