Principal Researcher Agromet | ARC-NRE & UFS | South Africa
Prof. Sue Walker is an Affiliated Emeritus Professor of Agrometeorology at the University of the Free State and a Principal Specialist Researcher in Agrometeorology at the Agricultural Research Council, South Africa. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from the University of California, Davis, and advanced diplomas in Project Management and Innovation & Design Thinking. Prof. Walker’s research focuses on the development of climate services for agricultural systems, climate-smart agriculture, crop-climate modeling, and adaptation strategies for smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions. She has authored over 131 peer-reviewed scientific articles and 40 book chapters, contributing significantly to areas like water-energy-food nexus, crop modeling, and the application of seasonal forecasts in agriculture. Her work includes notable projects such as the “Climate-Wise Women” initiative and the “Rain for Africa” project. Prof. Walker has received several prestigious awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship, a South African National Research Foundation B3-rating, a fellowship with the South African Society of Crop Production, and the Bram Fischer Oxford-South Africa Award. She has served as Chair of the World Meteorological Organization's OPAG on Agrometeorological Services and as a representative to WMO-CAgM and ICID Working Groups. Additionally, she serves on the Editorial Committee of the South African Journal of Plant and Soil. Her work emphasizes participatory rural appraisal methods, decision support tools for farmers, and the integration of climate services into agricultural development strategies. With extensive global experience from over 54 countries, she remains a leading expert in building resilience against climate variability in the agricultural sector. She has 3039 citations from 2600 documents across 115 publications, with an h-index of 30.
Publications
1. Kumssa, D. B., Joy, E. J. M., Ander, E. L., Watts, M. J., Young, S. D., Walker, S., ... (2015). Dietary calcium and zinc deficiency risks are decreasing but remain prevalent. Scientific Reports, 5(1), 10974.
2. Tsubo, M., Walker, S., & Ogindo, H. O. (2005). A simulation model of cereal–legume intercropping systems for semi-arid regions: I. Model development. Field Crops Research, 93(1), 10–22.
3. Tsubo, M., Walker, S., & Mukhala, E. (2001). Comparisons of radiation use efficiency of mono-/inter-cropping systems with different row orientations. Field Crops Research, 71(1), 17–29.
4. Gandure, S., Walker, S., & Botha, J. J. (2013). Farmers' perceptions of adaptation to climate change and water stress in a South African rural community. Environmental Development, 5, 39–53.
5. Tesfaye, K., Walker, S., & Tsubo, M. (2006). Radiation interception and radiation use efficiency of three grain legumes under water deficit conditions in a semi-arid environment. European Journal of Agronomy, 25(1), 60–70.