François Essouma Manga | Agroecology transition | Best Research Article Award

Dr. François Essouma Manga | Agroecology transition | Best Research Article Award

Dr. François Essouma Manga, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Cameroon

Dr. François Essouma Manga is a Cameroonian Research Officer at the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), where he leads the Cocoa Research Station in Nkoemvone. Holding a PhD in Plant Biology and Ecology from the University of Yaoundé I, his expertise lies in cocoa agroforestry, plant biotechnology, and sustainable agricultural practices. With over 20 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Manga’s work focuses on climate-resilient agriculture, indigenous knowledge systems, and pest management. He has led multiple regional and international research projects funded by IFS, FAO, WIPO, and Bioversity-CIAT. His research has appeared in journals such as Agricultural Systems, Land Use Policy, and Environmental Challenges. An award-winning scientist and active mentor, Dr. Manga has represented Cameroon in key international forums and training programs across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Fluent in French and English, he integrates science and policy to promote biodiversity, food security, and climate adaptation across sub-S

Publication Profile

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Professional Experience

Dr. François Essouma Manga, a seasoned agricultural researcher with over a decade of experience, currently serves as Research Officer at IRAD and Head of the Cocoa Research Station in Nkoemvone. He has led critical national and international projects focused on sustainable cocoa production, agroecology, biopesticides, and biodiversity. His work includes VAT and DUS trials for new plant varieties, biostimulant evaluation under climate change, and extensive phytopathological studies for pesticide registration. He has managed land resources, seedling production, and staff while supporting agro-industrial sustainability initiatives like Cocoasoils and EURD. Dr. Manga has served as expert consultant for FAO, Bioversity-CIAT, GIZ, and CIFOR, and currently coordinates regional development programs with Groupe RADER and ALLUVIA Research. A committed educator, he has taught in multiple universities and trained stakeholders across sectors. His efforts bridge scientific research, farmer engagement, and environmental policy, making him a pivotal figure in climate-resilient agriculture in Central Africa.

🎓 Academic Background

Dr. François Essouma Manga possesses a multidisciplinary academic background that anchors his expertise in sustainable agriculture and innovation. He earned a PhD in Plant Biotechnologies from the University of Yaoundé I in 2022 with the highest distinction, focusing on biopesticide development, plant production, and farmer adoption of eco-friendly solutions. In the same year, he completed a Professional Master’s in Intellectual and Industrial Property at the University of Yaoundé II in collaboration with OAPI and WIPO, emphasizing research patentability. His earlier academic journey includes a Research Master’s in Plant Biotechnologies (2012) and a Professional Master’s in Agroforestry (2013), where he studied cyanogenic compounds and agroforestry dynamics. Dr. Manga also pursued agronomy and agricultural education at ENSET de Bambili – University of Bamenda in 2016. This robust educational foundation supports his impactful research in plant protection, intellectual property, and climate-resilient agroforestry systems across Cameroon and Central Africa.

🔍 Research Focus

Dr. François Essouma Manga’s research falls within the category of climate-smart agriculture and agroecological systems, with a strong specialization in biopesticide development, sustainable pest management, and the resilience of smallholder farming systems. His work integrates plant biotechnologies with local knowledge to develop nature-based solutions for managing pests and diseases—particularly in cocoa and food crop systems across Cameroon. His studies also explore climate change perception, agroforestry dynamics, and adaptive decision-making among rural farmers, contributing to broader environmental and food security goals. With publications in journals such as Environmental Challenges, Agroforestry Systems, and Land Use Policy, Dr. Manga addresses critical topics like the compatibility of biocontrol agents with fungicides, vulnerability of farming systems, and integration of traditional ecological knowledge in forest–agriculture systems. His multidisciplinary approach connects entomopathogenic fungi, agroecological restoration, and community resilience, placing his work at the intersection of agricultural innovation, climate adaptation, and ecological sustainability.

Publication Top Notes

  • Climate change perception and local adaptation of natural resource management in a farming community of Cameroon: A case studyCited by 28, 2022

  • In vitro antifungal potential of aqueous seeds extracts of Azadirachta indica and Thevetia peruviana against Phytophthora megakarya in CameroonCited by 25, 2016

  • Cocoa-based agroforestry system dynamics and trends in the Akongo subregion of central CameroonCited by 18, 2021

  • In vitro study of the compatibility of six fungicides with two strains of Trichoderma asperellum…Cited by 14, 2018

  • Insecticides: Advances in insect control and sustainable pest managementCited by 12, 2023

  • Vulnerability of family farming systems to climate change: Forest-savannah transition zone, CameroonCited by 12, 2023

  • Forest–Agriculture in the Centre–South Region of Cameroon: Traditional Knowledge and Integrated ManagementCited by 8, 2020

  • Factors affecting decision-making to strengthen climate resilience of smallholder farms in CameroonCited by 6, 2024

  • Climate Change Perception and Local Adaptation… (duplicate entry)Cited by 6, 2022

  • Investigation about dieback in cocoa orchards in CameroonCited by 6, 2018

  • Family Farming Systems in Northern Central Cameroon: Challenges and ProspectsCited by 5, 2023

  • Isolation of Beauveria bassiana from coffee soils and its insecticidal activityCited by 3, 2021

  • Insecticidal activity of Moringa Oleifera seed formulations on Acanthoscelides obtectusCited by 3, 2021

  • Farm typology and farmer decision making in Centre CameroonCited by 2, 2023

  • Biosciences and Plant BiologyCited by 2, 2019

Birara Gebeyhu Reta | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Birara Gebeyhu Reta | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Birara Gebeyhu Reta, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia

Mr. Birara Gebeyhu Reta is a dedicated researcher and lecturer in water resources and irrigation engineering at Arba Minch University, Ethiopia. With a passion for sustainable water management, he has contributed significantly to irrigation systems, soil reclamation, and crop water productivity. His work focuses on improving agricultural water use efficiency, climate adaptation, and irrigation performance. He has presented his research at international conferences and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. His expertise in GIS, AquaCrop modeling, and irrigation planning makes him a key figure in water resource engineering and agricultural sustainability. 🌱💧

Publication Profile

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🎓 Education

Mr. Birara holds a B.Sc. in Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering and an M.Sc. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering from Arba Minch University, Ethiopia (2012-2020). His academic journey has equipped him with strong technical skills in irrigation scheduling, hydrology, and water resource management. His education emphasized climate-smart agriculture, sustainable irrigation techniques, and soil-water interactions. Through rigorous coursework and research, he developed expertise in GIS-based water analysis, crop modeling, and land-use planning, laying the foundation for his impactful contributions to irrigation engineering. 🎓📘

💼 Experience

Since December 2017, Mr. Birara has been a lecturer and researcher at Arba Minch University, Ethiopia, specializing in water resource system planning, irrigation engineering, and drainage management. He has led multiple research projects, including saline soil reclamation, irrigation scheduling, and AquaCrop-based productivity evaluations. His teaching focuses on water resource planning and irrigation management, helping students develop practical skills. Additionally, he has contributed to internationally funded projects, such as the WaterPIP Knowledge and Action Network. His extensive field and academic experience make him a leader in sustainable water management. 🏫📊

🏆 Awards & Honors

Mr. Birara has been recognized for his research contributions through conference invitations, training programs, and professional certifications. He has participated in the International Conference on the Nile River Basin, the Abbay International Water Conference, and the Climate-Smart Agriculture Conference. Additionally, he has received certifications in scientific writing, grant proposal development, and research dissemination. His involvement in global research networks has enhanced his impact on irrigation science and agricultural water management. His dedication to solving water resource challenges has earned him credibility in the scientific community. 🏅🌍

🔬 Research Focus

Mr. Birara’s research explores irrigation performance, soil reclamation, drought analysis, and climate adaptation in agriculture. His studies include saline-sodic soil improvement, optimal irrigation scheduling, and crop water productivity. He specializes in AquaCrop modeling, GIS-based hydrological analysis, and water use efficiency improvement. His research aims to enhance agricultural sustainability, mitigate climate change effects on irrigation, and optimize water resource allocation. By integrating advanced computational tools and field-based experiments, he provides practical solutions to water scarcity and food security challenges in Ethiopia and beyond. 🌾💡

Publication Top Notes

📘 Effect of furrow irrigation systems and irrigation levels on maize agronomy and water use efficiency in Arba Minch, Southern, EthiopiaCited by: 17 (2023) 🔗 Heliyon 9(7) 🌽💧

📘 Assessment of soil mulching field management, and deficit irrigation effect on productivity of watermelon varieties, and AquaCrop model validationCited by: 12 (2023) 🔗 Heliyon 9(11) 🍉🌱

📘 Crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling under climate change scenario, and optimal cropland allocation in lower kulfo catchmentCited by: 5 (2024) 🔗 Heliyon 10(10) 🌍💦

📘 Power Data Access Viewer‐Based Meteorological Drought Analysis and Rainfall Variability in the Nile River BasinCited by: 3 (2024) 🔗 Advances in Meteorology 2024(1) ☀️🌧️

📘 Soil moisture-based irrigation interval and irrigation performance evaluation: In the case of lower kulfo catchment, EthiopiaCited by: 1 (2024) 🔗 Heliyon 10(16) 🌾📊

📘 Assessment of irrigation water management performance indicators and mitigation measure in Arba Minch irrigation scheme, EthiopiaCited by: 1 (2024) 🔗 Advances in Agriculture 2024(1) 🚰⚙️

📘 Evaluation of Small‐Scale Irrigation Scheme Performance and Proposed Alternative Mitigation for Improved Water Management on Wezeqa and Gatto Irrigation Schemes, Southern, EthiopiaCited by: 1 (2024) 🔗 Advances in Agriculture 2024(1) 🌊🌍

📘 Optimizing Tomato Yield in Saline‐Sodic Soils With Gypsum and Mulching Techniques Near Lake Abaya, EthiopiaCited by: – (2025) 🔗 Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2025(1) 🍅🧂

📘 Review of Soil Erosion and Sediment Transport, and Management Status in the Blue Nile River Basin: The Case of EthiopiaCited by: – (2023) 🔗 Abbay Journal of Water and Environmental Sciences 🌊🛤️

🔍 Conclusion

Mr. Birara Gebeyhu Reta is a highly qualified researcher with a strong background in irrigation engineering, water management, and climate adaptation studies. His extensive research output, international conference participation, and scientific contributions make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work significantly impacts sustainable water use, making him deserving of recognition in his field. 🌍💧

Zhandos Shynybay | Agricultural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zhandos Shynybay | Agricultural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zhandos Shynybay, Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications named after Gumarbek Daukeyev, Kazakhstan

Dr. Zhandos Shynybay is a distinguished scholar in electrical power engineering ⚡ and agricultural energy systems 🌾. He earned his PhD in Energy Providing of Agriculture from Kazakh National Agrarian University. Currently, he serves as Head of the Department of Power Supply and Electric Drive at Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications. With extensive academic experience, he has authored multiple research papers 📄 on image-based quality assessment and energy efficiency. His contributions include patents 🏅 on agricultural and industrial automation. Recognized with a Certificate of Honor 🏆 from the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, Dr. Shynybay is a leader in power systems innovation.

 

Publication Profile

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Academic and Professional Journey

 

Dr. Zhandos Shynybay is a renowned expert in energy systems and power engineering ⚡. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree (1997) in Energy Providing of Agriculture from the Kazakh Agricultural Institute and later pursued a Master’s degree (2009) in Electropower Engineering at Kazakh National Agrarian University. He further advanced his academic credentials by earning a PhD (2014) in Energy Providing of Agriculture from the same institution. Dr. Shynybay has dedicated his career to academia, starting as an Assistant Professor (2004-2009) at Kazakh National Agrarian University (KazNARU), later serving as a Senior Lecturer (2009-2014), and subsequently becoming an Associate Professor and Head of the Department (2014-2021). Since 2021, he has been leading as the Head of the Department of Power Supply and Electric Drive at Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications 🏫. His expertise spans power systems, electrical drives, and agricultural energy solutions, contributing significantly to research, innovation, and academic leadership. 🚀

Education

Dr. Zhandos Shynybay is a distinguished academic specializing in power supply and electric drives. He earned his PhD in 2014, following degrees from Kazakh Agricultural Institute and Kazakh National Agrarian University. With over two decades of experience, he currently serves as Head of the “Power Supply and Electric Drive” department at Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications. His research focuses on energy automation, image analysis, and agricultural engineering. Dr. Shynybay has authored multiple publications and holds patents in energy systems. He received the Certificate of Honor from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education. 🏆📡🔋

 

Awards and prizes:

Dr. Zhandos Shynybay is a renowned researcher and academic in power engineering, specializing in power supply and electric drives. He earned his PhD in 2014 after completing degrees at Kazakh Agricultural Institute and Kazakh National Agrarian University. Currently, he is the Head of the “Power Supply and Electric Drive” department at Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications. His research spans energy automation, image analysis, and agricultural engineering. A recipient of the Certificate of Honor from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education (2020), he has authored numerous publications and holds multiple patents. 🏆⚙️🔋

 

Research Focus ⚡

 

Dr. Zhandos Shynybay specializes in agricultural engineering, renewable energy, and computer vision applications in food quality assessment. His research includes digital image analysis for determining the physical parameters of apples 🍏, optimizing egg quality assessment 🥚, and developing automated sorting systems using computer vision. He has also contributed to renewable energy development 🌞💨 and harvesting optimization 🌾. His interdisciplinary work integrates AI, automation, and energy systems to enhance efficiency in agriculture and food production. His research has been widely published in high-impact journals and conference proceedings. 📚🔍

 

Publication Top Notes

  • 2025: “Methodology for Determining the Main Physical Parameters of Apples by Digital Image Analysis” – AgriEngineering.

  • 2022: “Development of Renewable Energy Sources in the World in the Section of Wind and Solar Energy” – Mechanics and Technologies.

  • 2021: “Express Methods and Procedures for Determination of the Main Egg Quality Indicators” – TEM Journal.

  • 2020: “Methodology for Conducting an Optimization Experiment for Harvesting Dry Short-Stalked Grain Crops” – IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.

  • 2019: “Approach for Egg Defects Assessment Using Image Analysis” – Annals of DAAAM and Proceedings of the International DAAAM Symposium.

  • 2019: “Design and Performance of an Automatic Egg Sorting System Based on Computer Vision” – TEM Journal.

  • 2018: “An Indirect Approach for Egg Weight Sorting Using Image Processing” – Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization.

  • 2013: “Express Method and Device for Definition of Potato Tubers Parameters” – Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science.

 

Samuel RAKOTOAMBININA | Agricultural | Best Scholar Award

Mr. Samuel RAKOTOAMBININA | Agricultural | Best Scholar Award

Mr. Samuel RAKOTOAMBININA, CENRADERU/FOFIFA, Madagascar

👨‍🔬 Samuel RAKOTOAMBININA, an accomplished Agro-halieute expert, holds a Ph.D. in Fisheries Sciences from the University of Toliara. With over three decades of experience, he has significantly contributed to freshwater aquaculture in Madagascar. Notably, he served as a Consultant for PADM/GIZ, overseeing technical management and socio-economic studies. His expertise spans from genetic characterization to hatchery management, evident in his numerous publications. Samuel’s dedication to sustainable aquaculture is evident through his leadership roles in research institutions and collaborative projects. 🌊🐟

Publication Profile:

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Education :

Samuel RAKOTOAMBININA’s academic journey reflects a profound dedication to fisheries and aquaculture. 📚 With a Doctorate in Fisheries Sciences from the University of Toliara in 2011, he delved deep into the intricacies of aquatic ecosystems. Prior, he acquired a Master’s in Aquaculture from the University of Montpellier II in 2000, complemented by a Diploma of University Studies in Aquaculture Project Management and Operation. His foundational knowledge stems from earning a Bachelor’s in Fisheries Engineering from the University of Toliara in 1989, preceded by a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Madagascar in 1986, specializing in Agricultural and Food Industries. 🎓

Professional Experience :

Samuel RAKOTOAMBININA has been instrumental in enhancing pisciculture practices in Madagascar. 🐟 As a Consultant for PADM/GIZ, he provided expert guidance on continental fish farming. His technical management of FOFIFA’s fish station in Kianjasoa ensured efficient operations. Samuel’s expertise extended to breeding stock maintenance and enhancement, particularly in tilapia and carp. He conducted impactful socio-economic studies on pisciculture in the Middle West region, along with pioneering studies on Nile tilapia farming in floating cages at Lake Itasy. Through training initiatives, site evaluations, and collaborative efforts, he has significantly contributed to the sustainable growth of aquaculture. 🌱

Research Focus:

Samuel RAKOTOAMBININA’s research focus lies predominantly in freshwater aquaculture, particularly in Madagascar’s highlands. 🌊 His recent publication in the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society demonstrates his commitment to improving common carp fry production through small-scale hatcheries. This work signifies his dedication to addressing local aquaculture challenges and enhancing sustainable fish farming practices in diverse environments. Samuel’s expertise in hatchery management and fry production underscores his contributions to the development of aquaculture techniques tailored to the unique conditions of Madagascar’s highland regions. 🐟