Joyce Abrafi Opoku | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Joyce Abrafi Opoku | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Seventh-day Adventist College of Education, Asokore- Koforidua, Ghana

Joyce Abrafi Opoku is the Director of Professional Development, Research, and International Relations at the Seventh-day Adventist College of Education in Asokore-Koforidua, Ghana. With a research focus on sustainable agriculture and the propagation of difficult-to-propagate plant species, she has contributed significantly to applied agricultural science. Ms. Opoku has authored four publications and participated in additional collaborative research projects. Her dedication has earned her several recognitions, including the “Best Institutional Farmer” award in 2017 and both the “Principal’s Excellence Award” and “Milestone Achievement Award” in 2024. She has served in key academic and administrative roles, including Dean of Students’ Affairs, Head of the Science Department, and Unit Head of Agriculture. A committed member of several professional bodies, including the Horticultural Society of Ghana and the Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association of Ghana, Ms. Opoku continues to advance agricultural education and practice through research and leadership.

Profile:

🧪 Research Focus:

Joyce Abrafi Opoku’s research centers on the use of organic resources for sustainable agriculture and the enhancement of propagation methods for challenging plant species. Her contributions bridge scientific practice and community agriculture.

🏆 Achievements:

  • Best Institutional Farmer Award (2017) – National Farmer’s Day, New Juabeng North Municipality 🚜

  • Principal’s Excellence Award (2024) 🎓

  • Milestone Achievement Award (2024) 🌟

  • Authored four publications and contributed to additional works in progress 📄

🎓 Academic & Administrative Roles:

  • Former Dean of Students’ Affairs

  • Head of the Science Department

  • Unit Head of Agriculture

  • Committee Member – Appointments and Finance, SDA College of Education

🤝 Professional Memberships:

  • Horticultural Society of Ghana 🌼

  • Colleges of Education Teachers’ Association of Ghana (CETAG)

  • Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)

  • Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association of Ghana (ASTAG)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Effect of Pre-Sowing Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Silver Butterfly Tree (Bauhinia rufescens)
    Current Agriculture Research Journal, 2018-12-28
    DOI: 10.12944/CARJ.6.3.13
    Contributors: J. A. Opoku, J. N. Amissah, M. E. Essilfie, J. C. Norman

  • Seed Germination Percentage and Growth Performance of Caesalpinia pulcherrima as Influenced by Different Pre-Sowing Treatments
    Journal of Forestry, 2018-07-31
    Contributor: Joyce Abrafi Opoku

 

Zongho Kom | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Dr Zongho Kom |  Agricultural  | Best Researcher Award

University Of Venda,  South Africa

Dr. Zongho Kom holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Venda, South Africa, where he also completed his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Sciences. He is currently a Doctoral Fellow at the University of Venda, engaged in research, publications, and supervising postgraduate students. Dr. Kom has previously worked as a Project Administrator for the South Africa/Flander Climate Adaptation Research and Training Partnership and as a Coordinator of Conservation Technology in Chad.

 

Publication Profile

Educational Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Geography
    University of Venda, South Africa
  • Master of Environmental Sciences (Geography)
    University of Venda, South Africa
  • Bachelor of Environmental Sciences Honours (Geography)
    University of Venda, South Africa

Career History:

  • Doctoral Fellowship, University of Venda
    June 2021 – Present
    Responsibilities include conducting research, publishing findings, and supervising postgraduate students.
  • Project Administrator / Teaching Postgraduate, University of Venda
    South Africa/Flander Climate Adaptation Research and Training Partnership (SAF-ADAPT)
  • Coordinator of Conservation Technology, African Parks
    Chad (September 2020 – April 2021)
  • Administrator of GIS Certificate Course / Facilitator and Senior Tutor, University of Venda
    January 2013 – 2019
    Taught various environmental courses in Geography.

Research Interests:

Dr. Kom’s research focuses on climate change adaptation policies, environmental awareness, sustainable livelihoods, smallholder farming systems, indigenous knowledge systems, food security, and geospatial analysis.

Grants and Fellowships:

  • Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Venda
  • National Research Foundation (NRF) Doctoral Fellowship Grant
  • NRF Student Travel Grant for the American Association of Geographers (2017)
  • Travel grant for the International Geographical Union (2015)

Memberships:

  • South Africa for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)
  • Society of South Africa Geographers (SSAG)

Publication Top Notes

  • Smallholder Farmers Multinomial Choice Analysis for Climate Change and Variability in Limpopo Province, South Africa
    Year: 2024 | Type: Book Chapter
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-2926-5_4
    Contributors: Zongho Kom, Melanie D. Nicolau, Solomon E. Uhunamure, Sylvester Mpandeli, Nthaduleni S. Nethengwe, Jacobus N. Steyn, Karabo Shale, Pindulo Ramasunga, Hector Chikoore
  • Indigenous and Local Knowledge: Instruments Towards Achieving SDG2: A Review in an African Context
    Year: 2024-10-21 | Type: Journal Article
    DOI: 10.3390/su16209137
    Contributors: Zongho Kom, Nthaduleni Samuel Nethengwe
  • The Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems Practices to Enhance Food Security in Vhembe District, South Africa
    Year: 2024-09 | Type: Journal Article
    DOI: 10.1007/s40003-024-00716-8
    Contributors: Zongho Kom, Melanie D. Nicolau, Shandukani C. Nenwiini
  • Climate Change, Food Security and Farmers’ Livelihoods: A Case Study in Limpopo Province, South Africa
    Year: 2024-05-14 | Type: Preprint
    DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4172452/v1
    Contributors: Zongho Kom, Melanie D. Nicolau
  • Understanding Links Between Water Scarcity and Violent Conflicts in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin Using the Water Footprint Concept
    Year: 2024-02 | Type: Journal Article
    DOI: 10.1029/2023EF004013
    Contributors: Elias Nkiaka, Robert G. Bryant, Zongho Kom
  • Indigenous Knowledge Indicators Employed by Farmers for Adaptation to Climate Change in Rural South Africa
    Year: 2023-11-10 | Type: Journal Article
    DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2022.2086854
    Contributors: Zongho Kom, Nthaduleni S. Nethengwe, Sylvester Mpandeli, Hector Chikoore
  • Determinants of Small-scale Farmers’ Choice and Adaptive Strategies in Response to Climatic Shocks in Vhembe District, South Africa
    Year: 2022-04 | Type: Journal Article
    DOI: 10.1007/s10708-020-10272-7
    Contributors: Zongho Kom, N. S. Nethengwe, N. S. Mpandeli, H. Chikoore
  • Climate Change Grounded on Empirical Evidence as Compared with the Perceptions of Smallholder Farmers in Vhembe District, South Africa
    Year: 2020-08 | Type: Journal Article
    DOI: 10.1177/0021909619891757
    Contributors: Zongho Kom, Nthaduleni S. Nethengwe, Sylvester Mpandeli, Hector Chikoore