John Derera, a Zimbabwean, is currently the Head of Breeding in IITA. He is a specialist in Maize Breeding, Quantitative & Biometrical Genetics and R&D.

His interests revolves around inspiring development through Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security & Capacity Building. He has published many papers and graduated many PhD students in plant breeding. He has PhD in Plant Breeding from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, MPhil. in Plant Breeding & Entomology from the University of Zimbabwe and BSc Agric Hons in Crop Science from the University of Zimbabwe. He also has Group Diploma in Marketing (LCCI) and MBA from Management College of Southern Africa.

Prior to joining IITA, he worked as the Global Head of Research & Development (Seed Co Group, www.seedcogroup.com); Professor in Plant Breeding (African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu-Natal, www.acci.org.za); Maize Breeder (Seed Co); Research Officer (Department of Research & Specialist Services, Zimbabwe); Research Studentship (CIMMYT-Zimbabwe). He has affiliation with the University of KwaZulu-Natal & support to West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (www.wacci.ug.edu.gh), Makerere Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (www.marcci.org), Pan Africa University (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), and University of Limpopo (South Africa).

He was opportune to serve on many boards, such as, Science & Impact Executive Board of the International Wheat Yield Partnership (www.iwyp.org), Advisory Board of the Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (www.marcci.org), African Plant Breeders Association, & Crop Science of Zimbabwe council. Soybean Innovation Lab, AGRA’S Improved MSc for Cultivar Development (www.agra.org), Seed Co’s Business Units & Executive Committee.