Fariya Abubakari | Soil Science | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Fariya Abubakari | Soil Science | Women Researcher Award

Research Scholar | Murdoch University | Australia

Dr. Fariya Abubakari is a distinguished researcher at Murdoch University, specializing in agriculture, crop science, soil science, and horticulture. Her research primarily focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and the socio-economic impacts of climate change on farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Abubakari’s emerging research interests include optimizing nitrogen fixation in leguminous crops and enhancing soil conservation techniques to improve smallholder productivity. Throughout her academic career, she has held vital research and teaching roles in agricultural science, where she has contributed extensively to policy-driven studies on soil fertility management, fertilizer subsidy effects, and farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change. Her influential works, including “Determinants of Household Food Security and Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture in Ghana” and “Strategies for Improving Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation of Leguminous Crops,” have shaped local and regional agricultural policies promoting climate resilience and sustainable crop production. Dr. Abubakari’s research on soil conservation technologies, fertilizer awareness, and tomato production constraints among rural farmers has offered practical frameworks for improving yields and livelihoods in vulnerable regions. She has also contributed to gender and development studies, notably examining the intersection of women’s empowerment and agricultural sustainability in Ghana. With over 70 citations and a growing research footprint, her work bridges scientific inquiry and real-world agricultural challenges. Her impact vision is to advance sustainable farming systems that ensure food security and environmental protection through innovative soil management, efficient crop production, and inclusive agricultural policies. By integrating scientific evidence with rural development strategies, Dr. Abubakari continues to influence both academic discourse and practical implementation, reinforcing her commitment to improving the resilience of African agriculture against climate and economic pressures while empowering communities toward sustainable livelihoods.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Noah Adamtey | Soil Fertility Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Noah Adamtey | Soil Fertility Management | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher | International Water Management Institute | Ghana

Dr. Noah Adamtey is a distinguished Agronomist and Environmental Scientist, currently serving as Senior Researcher in Resource Recovery and Agri-food Systems at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Ghana. He earned his BSc in Agricultural Science and MPhil in Environmental Science from the University of Ghana, followed by a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Ghana in collaboration with IWMI and Eawag-Sandec, Switzerland, and later pursued a Habilitation at the University of Giessen, Germany, focusing on resource recovery and use efficiency in farming systems. With over two decades of expertise, Dr. Adamtey’s research spans agroecology, bio-circular economy, soil fertility, nutrient cycling, sustainable water use, and climate-resilient agricultural systems. He has led and collaborated on several international projects, including long-term farming systems comparison trials across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, significantly advancing knowledge on organic versus conventional agriculture. His extensive publication record includes impactful articles in Applied Soil Ecology, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, and Global Environmental Change, as well as contributions to book chapters, training manuals, and technical guides. Dr. Adamtey’s research has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the 2025 IWMI Board of Governors Award, the 2021 Louis Malassis International Scientific Award for Agroecology, and the 2019 Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research Award. Beyond research, he contributes to academia as a lecturer at the University of Giessen and University of Hohenheim, Germany, and has been instrumental in curriculum development for agricultural institutions in Africa. He is also an active reviewer for leading journals, including Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, Agronomy Journal, and Sustainability. Through his scientific leadership, teaching, and international collaborations, Dr. Adamtey continues to influence sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and food security worldwide

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications 

1. Adamtey, N., Musyoka, M. W., Zundel, C., Cobo, J. G., Karanja, E., Fiaboe, K. K. M., ... (2016). Productivity, profitability and partial nutrient balance in maize-based conventional and organic farming systems in Kenya. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.

2. Adamtey, N., Cofie, O., Ofosu-Budu, K. G., Ofosu-Anim, J., Laryea, K. B., & Forster, D. (2010). Effect of N-enriched co-compost on transpiration efficiency and water-use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) under controlled irrigation. Agricultural Water Management.

3. Adamtey, N., Cofie, O., Ofosu-Budu, G. K., Danso, S. K. A., & Forster, D. (2009). Production and storage of N-enriched co-compost. Waste Management.

4. Neither, W., Schneidewind, U., Armengot, L., Adamtey, N., Schneider, M., ... (2017). Spatial-temporal soil moisture dynamics under different cocoa production systems. Catena.

5. Atandi, J. G., Haukeland, S., Kariuki, G. M., Coyne, D. L., Karanja, E. N., ... (2017). Organic farming provides improved management of plant parasitic nematodes in maize and bean cropping systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.

 

Prof. Dr. Jehangir Bhadha | Soil Sustainability | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Dr. Jehangir Bhadha | Soil Sustainability | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor | University of Florida | United States

Dr. Jehangir H. Bhadha is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida’s Everglades Research and Education Center within the Soil, Water, & Ecosystem Sciences Department, with affiliate roles in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Interdisciplinary Ecology, the Water Institute, and the Center for Sustainable and Organic Food Systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil and Water Science and an M.S. in Geological Sciences from the University of Florida, alongside an MSc in Geology and a BS (Honors) in Mineralogy from the University of Bombay, India. Dr. Bhadha’s key research focuses on water quality, soil sustainability, sustainable agriculture, and nutrient management, specifically developing and testing innovative best management practices (BMPs) to reduce phosphorus pollution and enhance soil health in subtropical agroecosystems. His prolific publication record includes contributions to high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Soil Science, Journal of Environmental Management, PLOS ONE, and HortScience, reflecting interdisciplinary work on phosphorus management, biochar use, and organic matter dynamics. His work has received national and international recognition, including the George Barley Water Prize for phosphorus removal solutions, the Epsilon Sigma Phi Visionary Leadership Award, and multiple service awards from Epsilon Sigma Phi and the University of Florida. In addition to research, Dr. Bhadha serves on editorial boards of journals like Discover Soil Journal, Frontiers in Environmental Sciences, and PLOS ONE, actively contributing to advancing scientific communication in soil and environmental sciences. His commitment to sustainability and applied research continues to influence agricultural practices and environmental policy, aiming for practical solutions that balance productivity with ecological stewardship.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID

Publications

1. Bhadha, J. H., Capasso, J. M., Khatiwada, R., Swanson, S., & LaBorde, C. (2017). Raising soil organic matter content to improve water holding capacity. University of Florida IFAS EDIS, Publication# SL447.

2. Alvarez-Campos, O., Lang, T. A., Bhadha, J. H., McCray, M. J., Glaz, B., & Daroub, S. H. (2018). Biochar and mill ash improve yields of sugarcane on a sand soil in Florida. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 253, 112–130.

3. Zhang, Z., Wang, J. J., Lyu, X., Jiang, M., Bhadha, J. H., & Wright, A. (2019). Impacts of land use change on soil organic matter chemistry in the Everglades, Florida—a characterization with pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Geoderma, 338, 393–400.

4. Bhadha, J. H., Harris, W. G., & Jawitz, J. W. (2010). Soil phosphorus release and storage capacity from an impacted subtropical wetland. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 74(5), 1816–1825.

5. Bhadha, J. H., Daroub, S. H., & Lang, T. A. (2012). Effect of kinetic control, soil: solution ratio, electrolyte cation, and others, on equilibrium phosphorus concentration. Geoderma, 173, 209–214.