Postdoctoral Fellow | International Rice Research Institute | Bangladesh
Sharif Ahmed is a distinguished agricultural research specialist whose core specialization lies in resource conservation technologies, dry-seeded rice systems, weed management, cropping systems, and crop modeling under climate change scenarios. His research focuses on developing sustainable, high-efficiency rice production strategies that enhance crop performance while minimizing environmental impacts, with emerging interests in climate-smart agronomic innovations and integrated weed ecology for resilient farming systems. Over his career, he has served as a Specialist in Agricultural Research and Development at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), where he has contributed extensively to improving rice cultivation practices across Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and the Philippines. Sharif Ahmed’s key scientific contributions include pioneering studies on herbicide performance, nitrogen use efficiency, sowing management, and weed biology in dry-seeded rice ecosystems, leading to significant advancements in understanding crop–weed interactions and optimizing agronomic inputs for productivity. His work has generated widely cited publications on integrated weed management, seed rate optimization, herbicide efficacy, and sowing strategies tailored to floodplain environments, directly informing best practices for sustainable rice production. In addition, his research on the germination ecology of problematic weed species and the morphological plasticity of Leptochloa chinensis has provided critical insights for improved weed control policies and cropping system design. Through collaborations with leading agronomists, Sharif Ahmed has helped develop decision-support frameworks that enhance farmers’ ability to adopt resource-efficient technologies, thereby supporting both national and regional food security goals. His research outcomes have influenced agricultural extension programs, technology dissemination models, and environmentally sound weed management guidelines used in multiple rice-growing regions. Sharif Ahmed envisions a future where evidence-based agricultural innovation drives resilient food systems, climate adaptability, and sustainable intensification of rice production. His ongoing efforts aim to bridge scientific discovery with practical field applications, empowering farming communities through knowledge, improved production strategies, and eco-friendly crop management tools. By contributing to global discussions on crop sustainability and climate-adapted agronomy, he continues to advance a research agenda that supports food security, environmental stewardship, and the long-term viability of agricultural ecosystems worldwide.
Featured Publications
1. Ahmed, S., Salim, M., & Chauhan, B. S. (2014). Effect of weed management and seed rate on crop growth under direct dry-seeded rice systems in Bangladesh. PLOS ONE, 9(7), e101919.
2. Ahmed, S., & Chauhan, B. S. (2014). Performance of different herbicides in dry-seeded rice in Bangladesh. The Scientific World Journal, 2014, 729418.
3. Chauhan, B. S., Ahmed, S., Awan, T. H., Jabran, K., & Manalil, S. (2015). Integrated weed management approach to improve weed control efficiencies for sustainable rice production in dry-seeded systems. Crop Protection, 71, 19–24.
4. Ahmed, S., Humphreys, E., Salim, M., & Chauhan, B. S. (2016). Growth, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of dry-seeded rice as influenced by nitrogen and seed rates in Bangladesh. Field Crops Research, 186, 18–31.
5. Ahmed, S., & Chauhan, B. S. (2015). Efficacy and phytotoxicity of different rates of oxadiargyl and pendimethalin in dry-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Bangladesh. Crop Protection, 72, 169–174.