Yohannes | Food Systems | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yohannes | ย Food Systems | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Injibara University, ย Ethiopia

Dr. Yohannes Girma Asefa is a researcher at Injibara University with a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Wolaita Sodo University (2019โ€“2023). He also holds an MSc in Agricultural Information and Communication Management from Haramaya University and a BSc in Agricultural Economics from Addis Ababa University. His research expertise spans value chain analysis, agricultural extension, technology transfer, resource economics, and climate change. He has published 9 journal articles (SCI/Scopus), led 4 research projects, and contributed to 3 consultancy engagements. Dr. Yohannes actively collaborates with research institutions and serves in 4 editorial roles. He is a member of the Ethiopian Economic Association and Agricultural Economics Association.

Profile:ย 

๐ŸŽ“ Academic Background:

  • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“ Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics
    Wolaita Sodo University (2019โ€“2023)

  • ๐Ÿ“ก MSc in Agricultural Information & Communication Management
    Haramaya University (2016โ€“2017)

  • ๐ŸŒพ BSc in Agricultural Economics
    Addis Ababa University (2013โ€“2015)

๐Ÿ“Š Research & Innovations:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Journals Published: 9 (SCI/Scopus indexed)

  • ๐Ÿ” Research Projects: 4 (Completed/Ongoing)

  • ๐Ÿง  Consultancy Projects: 3

  • ๐Ÿ… Editorial Appointments: 4

  • ๐Ÿค Collaborations: With research centres & professional associations

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Citation Index: 94

  • ๐Ÿ“š Books Published: 0 | ๐Ÿงพ Patents: 0

๐ŸŒฑ Areas of Expertise:

  • ๐Ÿ”— Value Chain Analysis

  • ๐ŸŒพ Agricultural Extension & Information Use

  • ๐Ÿ’ก Technology Transfer

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Resource & Economic Efficiency

  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Risk Analysis & Operations Research

  • ๐ŸŒ Climate Change & Sustainable Development

๐ŸŒ Professional Engagement:

  • ๐Ÿ‘ฅ Member of the Ethiopian Economic Association

  • ๐ŸŒพ Member of the Agricultural Economics Association

๐Ÿ† Impact & Potential:

Dr. Yohannes Girma Asefa is an emerging scholar in agricultural economics whose research addresses critical challenges in sustainable agriculture, economic efficiency, and rural development. His collaborative spirit, active project involvement, and editorial contributions mark him as a promising voice in the academic and development research community.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Land Size and Efficiency in Agriculture: The Case of Ethiopian Smallholder Farmers โ€“ A Meta-analysis
    Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Forthcoming (2024-10-24).
    DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1447186
    Contributors: Yohannes Girma Asefa, Abera Ayalew Muluken

  • Risk Aversion and Perception of Farmers about Endogenous Risks: An Empirical Study for Maize Producers in Awi Zone, Amhara Region of Ethiopia
    Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 2023, 16(2), Article 87.
    DOI: 10.3390/jrfm16020087
    Contributors: Yohannes Asefa, Berhanu Kuma, Amsalu Bedemo

  • Credit Access and Agricultural Technology Adoption Nexus in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
    Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2022, 10, Article 100362.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2022.100362
    Contributor: Yohannes Asefa

  • Agricultural Commercialization of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Review
    Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 2021, 12(13), pp. 24โ€“30.
    DOI: 10.7176/jesd/12-13-04
    Contributor: Yohannes Asefa

  • A Meta-analysis on the Effect of Agricultural Extension on Farmersโ€™ Market Participation in Ethiopia
    Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, Date not specified.
    Contributor: Yohannes Asefa

  • Econometric Analysis of Dairy Farmersโ€™ Access to Agricultural Information in Adaโ€™a District
    Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Research, Date not specified.
    Contributor: Yohannes Asefa

  • ICTs and Agricultural Marketing in Africa: A Review
    Information and Knowledge Management, Date not specified.
    Contributor: Yohannes Asefa

  • Mobile Phone and Beef Cattle Marketing: The Case of Girar Jarso District of Oromia Region, Ethiopia
    Cogent Food and Agriculture, Date not specified.
    Contributor: Yohannes Asefa

 

Girma Ganebo | farmers | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr Girma Ganebo | farmers | ย Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor at ย Wolaita Sodo University , ย Ethiopia

Dr. Girma Gata Ganebo is an Ethiopian scholar and development expert specializing in Agricultural Economics and Development Economics. He was born in Wolaita/Shanto and is currently based in Boditi, Ethiopia.

Profile:

๐Ÿ”น Academic Background ๐ŸŽ“

  • Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics โ€“ Wolaita Sodo University (2013-2017)
  • MA in Development Economics โ€“ Arba Minch University (2007-2008)
  • BA in Economics โ€“ Arba Minch University (1997-2000)
  • Diploma in Geography โ€“ Awasa College of Teachers Education (1995-1997)

๐Ÿ”น Professional Experience ๐Ÿ’ผ

Dr. Girma has held various leadership and research roles in economic development, finance, and urban infrastructure projects, including:

  • Senior Secondary School Teacher (1998)
  • Head of Economic Development, Population & Statistics Division โ€“ Damot Pulasa District (1999-2001)
  • Executive Manager โ€“ Shanto Town Municipality (2002)
  • Head of Finance & Economic Development Office โ€“ Damot Pulasa District (2004-2006)
  • Senior M&E Officer โ€“ Wolaita Zone Urban & Construction Development Department (2009-2017)

๐Ÿ”น Skills & Research Contributions ๐Ÿ“Š

  • Expertise in economic development, project evaluation, and impact assessment
  • Proficient in data analysis tools (SPSS, STATA, R, E-Views)
  • Conducted studies on climate change risk mitigation and economic sustainability
  • Consultancy services in business and investment

๐Ÿ”น Languages & Training ๐ŸŒ

  • Fluent in English, Amharic, and Wolaitagna
  • Certified in strategic communication, finance, leadership, and strategic planning

Publication:

  • Can asset accumulation weigh the welfare status of mung bean farmers in lowland areas of South Ethiopia?

 

Bramwel Wanjala | Crop health | Best Paper Award

Mr Bramwel Wanjala | Crop health | Best Paper Award

Senior Research Scientist at ย Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, ย Kenya

Dr. Bramwel Waswa Wanjala is an experienced research scientist at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), where he has worked since 2003. His research primarily focuses on plant disease diagnostics and molecular biology, particularly the epidemiology and management of critical diseases like Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN), Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSV), and sweetpotato viruses. Dr. Wanjala has contributed to the development of laboratory protocols, training of personnel, and the establishment of standardized practices that ensure high-quality lab operations. His work includes using genetic markers such as AFLP, SSRs, SRAP, and ISSR to analyze crop diversity, helping enhance agricultural resilience in Kenya. Dr. Wanjala’s expertise has made him a key figure in plant pathology research, where he supports capacity-building efforts and advances diagnostic methodologies for sustainable agriculture.

 

Publication Profile

Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. in Biotechnology (Expected Dec 2022) – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2013) – Egerton University

Expertise:

Dr. Wanjala is a skilled research scientist specializing in plant disease diagnostics, molecular biology, and crop germplasm management. His work has focused on critical plant diseases in Kenya, including Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) and various sweetpotato viruses, employing advanced techniques like ELISA, PCR, Q-PCR, and LAMP. At the International Potato Center (CIP), he led sweetpotato virus diagnostics and developed innovative technologies for rapid vine multiplication, like sandponics, significantly aiding the sweetpotato seed system in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Contributions and Achievements:

  • Capacity Building: Trained numerous researchers and technical staff in virus diagnostics across East and Central Africa, including for KEPHIS.
  • Diagnostic Innovations: Validated a ClonDiag Microarray for sweetpotato virus detection, reducing testing time from 6 months to 2 days.
  • MLN Lab Establishment: Set up a diagnostic lab for MLN and trained stakeholders in disease identification and management.
  • Prebasic Seed Production: Helped establish a sustainable sweetpotato seed production system with KEPHIS, distributing over 150,000 vines to farmers.

Professional Affiliations:

  • International Society for Tropical Root Crops (African Branch)
  • African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF)
  • Trustee and Director of Economic Empowerment, JEDIMU Trust

Publication Top Notes

  • “Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification assays for on-site detection of the main sweetpotato infecting viruses”
  • “Comparative analysis for producing sweetpotato pre-basic seed using sandponics and conventional systems”
  • “Improving rapid multiplication of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam) pre-basic seed using sandponics technology in East Africa”
  • “Storage root yield of sweetpotato as influenced by sweetpotato leaf curl virus and its interaction with sweetpotato feathery mottle virus and Sweetpotato chlorotic stunt virus in Kenya”
  • “Yield potential of sandponically produced sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) pre-basic seed for selected genotypes”