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Julian has primary responsibility for development and oversight of Fera’s activity in overseas countries, notably in Africa and Middle East.
Find Julian on: LinkedIn
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Area of expertise
Developing country agriculture and crop health
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Years of experience
25
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Highest qualification
PhD
Julian has over 25 years experience in agriculture of UK and developing countries, and in forging partnerships in crop health. Trained as a crop pathologist (plant bacteriologist) and molecular biologist, he has worked with crops as varied as potato to banana to coconut and cassava, and in countries of East Africa, South America and Asia. A particular interest has been in advocating for investment with developing countries in mitigating threats of crop pest and disease epidemics and early outbreak response capabilities that build towards a ‘one-world’ outcome for food security. In recent years Julian has increasingly provided expert advice on research and policy development for most of the recent major emerging pest outbreaks of East Africa, including Banana Xanthomonas Wilt, Cassava Brown Streak Disease and Maize Lethal Necrotic Disease.
More about crop health services
Fera offers a suite of crop health services, resources, testing facilities and expertise to help farmers, growers and the food industry to improve yields, reduce costs and develop sustainable solutions.
Writing
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Latest Papers and Articles
Karamura G, Ochola D, Smith J, Kubiriba J and Karamura E. (2016). Evaluation of a lateral flow device for in-field detection of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt and its application in tracking the systemicity of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(25), 2250-2256.
Mahuku G, Wangai A, Sadessa K, Teklewold A, Wegary D, Ayalneh D, Adams I, Smith J, Bottomley E, Bryce S, Braidwood L, Feyissa B, Regassa B, Wanjala B, Kimunye J, Mugambi C, Monjero K, and Prasanna B. (2015). First report of Maize chlorotic mottle virus and maize lethal necrosis on maize in Ethiopia. Plant Disease, 99, 1870
Karamura G, Smith J, Studholme D, Kubiriba J and Karamura E (2015). Comparative pathogenicity studies of the Xanthomonas vasicola species on maize, sugarcane and banana. African Journal of Plant Science, 9(9), 385-400
Smith J. (2015). Crops, crop pests and climate change – why Africa needs to be better prepared. CCAFS Working Paper no. 114. Copenhagen, Denmark. CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). Read Online
Hodgetts J, Karamura G, Johnson G, Hall J, Perkins K, Beed F, Nakato V, Grant M, Studholme DJ, Boonham N and Smith J (2014). Development of a lateral flow device for in-field detection and evaluation of PCR based diagnostic methods for Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum, the causal agent of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt. Plant Pathology, 64(3), 559–567
Julian and their team work with customers to deliver the following services within Fera...
Developing country agriculture and crop health.
Insect Monitoring
Providing you with the information you need to make pest control decisions.
Soil Health Unit
Health tests, organism monitoring and metal detection for your soil, amongst other services
Grower support tools
Cutting edge software to help growers optimise their crop yield and health
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