Eric Koomson | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Eric Koomson | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Eric Koomson | Agronomy | Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Hohenheim | Germany

Dr. Eric Koomson is an accomplished agricultural scientist whose work spans agronomy, soil science, geostatistics, and sustainable farming systems, demonstrating strong expertise in modelling soil processes, climate–crop interactions, and land-use dynamics. Dr. Eric Koomson has built an impressive academic foundation beginning with a B.Sc. in Agriculture, followed by an M.Sc. in Soil Science with a major in Soil Physics, and culminating in a doctorate in Agronomy from the University of Hohenheim, where his research focused on biophysical modelling, soil organic matter dynamics, and sustainable land-management options for smallholder farming systems. Over the years, Dr. Eric Koomson has gained extensive professional experience working as a Postdoctoral Researcher specializing in geostatistics and scenario modelling, a research assistant supporting long-term organic matter trials, a crop production tutor, and a graduate trainee in international agricultural research institutions in Kenya, including IITA and ICRAF. His research interests include soil health, conservation agriculture, climate-smart farming, greenhouse gas assessments, agroforestry integration, erosion mitigation strategies, and participatory approaches for improving smallholder agricultural productivity. Dr. Eric Koomson possesses strong research skills in statistical programming, DSSAT and APSIM modelling, GIS and remote sensing, MIRS analytical techniques, and plot-to-landscape biophysical simulations. His work is further strengthened by multiple international trainings, including greenhouse gas measurement systems, intercultural competence, and advanced soil–plant analytical methods. Dr. Eric Koomson has earned several recognitions, including an excellence scholarship from the Food Security Centre of the University of Hohenheim and earlier merit-based academic awards, reflecting his dedication and professional excellence. With an expanding portfolio of peer-reviewed publications and international collaborations, Dr. Eric Koomson continues to contribute significantly to global efforts in sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient farming systems, and soil conservation. In conclusion, Dr. Eric Koomson stands out as a highly motivated, skilled, and globally engaged agricultural scientist with strong potential for future leadership in agronomy and environmental sustainability.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

  1. Muoni, T., Koomson, E., Öborn, I., Marohn, C., Watson, C. A., Bergkvist, G., et al. (2020). Reducing soil erosion in smallholder farming systems in East Africa through the introduction of different crop types. Experimental Agriculture, 56(2), 183–195. Cited by 68.

  2. Adiku, S. G. K., MacCarthy, D. S., Hathie, I., Diancoumba, M., Freduah, B. S., et al., including Koomson, E. (2015). Climate change impacts on West African agriculture: An integrated regional assessment (CIWARA). World Scientific Publishing. Cited by 46.

  3. MacCarthy, D. S., Zougmoré, R. B., Akponikpè, P. B. I., Koomson, E., Savadogo, P., et al. (2018). Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from different land-use systems: A case study of CO₂ in the southern zone of Ghana. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2018(1), Article 1057242. Cited by 42.

  4. Koomson, E., Muoni, T., Marohn, C., Nziguheba, G., Öborn, I., & Cadisch, G. (2020). Critical slope length for soil loss mitigation in maize–bean cropping systems in SW Kenya. Geoderma Regional, 22, e00311. Cited by 19.

  5. Mpanga, I. K., Gaikpa, D. S., Koomson, E., & Dapaah, H. K. (2022). Innovations in water management: Agriculture. The Palgrave Handbook of Global Sustainability, 1–23. Cited by 15.

  6. Adam, A. M., Giller, K. E., Rusinamhodzi, L., Rasche, F., Koomson, E., Marohn, C., et al. (2025). Enhancing the resilience of intercropping systems to changing moisture conditions in Africa through the integration of grain legumes: A meta-analysis. Field Crops Research, 321, 109663. Cited by 9.

  7. Roessler, R., Cicek, H., Cournac, L., Gnissien, M., Männle, J., Koomson, E., et al. (2025). Towards transdisciplinary identification of suitable woody perennials for resilient agro-silvopastoral systems in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa. Agroforestry Systems, 99(1), 26. Cited by 3.

 

Davi Mukasa | Agronomy | Innovative Research Award

Published on by Academic Achievements

Mr. Davi Mukasa | Agronomy | Innovative Research Award

Mr. Davi Mukasa | Agronomy – Research Associate at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Uganda

David Mukasa is an accomplished agricultural research scientist with over 25 years of professional experience in agronomy, soil science, agroforestry, and climate-smart agriculture. A dedicated contributor to sustainable agricultural development in East Africa, he currently serves at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) under the CGIAR umbrella. Throughout his career, he has focused on empowering smallholder farmers by improving productivity and resilience in coffee and banana-based farming systems. His leadership and commitment to capacity building, environmental conservation, and research dissemination have significantly influenced Uganda’s agricultural landscape. Mr. Mukasa is also a strong advocate for adaptive farming technologies and integrated systems that improve livelihoods while addressing the challenges of climate change.

Academic Profile:

Scopus

Education

Mr. Mukasa holds a Master of Science in Soil Science (2016) from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, Makerere University in 2006. These academic qualifications laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach to research, which blends soil science, agronomy, and sustainable land management for impactful results in both academia and field applications.

Experience

Since 1994, Mr. Mukasa has been affiliated with IITA, contributing extensively to agricultural research and development initiatives. His work spans diagnostic surveys, field experiments, and laboratory analysis with a special focus on smallholder productivity. He has trained farmers in Uganda and neighboring countries on good agricultural practices and climate-resilient technologies. He also supports postgraduate students in research design and implementation, sharing his rich field experience and technical knowledge. Mr. Mukasa has led numerous community-based projects that explore sustainable farming models, particularly emphasizing crop-livestock integration, coffee agroforestry, and resource-efficient farming systems.

Research Interests

David Mukasa’s research interests are centered on sustainable agriculture, soil fertility, crop-livestock systems, and climate-smart agricultural practices. His work aims to reduce the living income gap for smallholder farmers through innovation in agroforestry and adaptive farming strategies. He actively contributes to the validation and scaling of climate-smart technologies such as the Stepwise model and Coffee and Climate (C&C) adaptation framework. He is also involved in documenting and disseminating research findings through strategic outreach initiatives that improve farmer adoption of new practices.

Awards and Recognition

David Mukasa has been acknowledged for his long-standing service and impactful contributions within IITA and other CGIAR research collaborations. His leadership in organizing regional stakeholder engagements and promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices has been widely recognized. He is regularly invited to participate in scientific dialogues and development planning forums related to sustainable farming in East Africa. His current nomination for the Innovative Research Award is a testament to his outstanding research output, practical innovation, and dedication to advancing climate-smart agriculture in the region.

Selected Publications 📚

  1. 📖 Projected climate in coffee‑based farming systems: implications for crop suitability in Uganda – 2022, co-authored in Climatic Change, cited by 30+ articles.
  2. 📘 Sustainably improving Kenya’s coffee production needs more participation of younger farmers with diversified income – 2018, Journal of Rural Studies, cited by 45 articles.
  3. 📗 Influence of shaded systems on Xylosandrus compactus infestation in Robusta coffee along a rainfall gradient in Uganda – 2017, Agricultural and Forest Entomology, cited by 20 articles.
  4. 📕 Evaluating coffee yield gaps and limiting factors in Uganda – 2015, European Journal of Agronomy, cited by 60+ articles.
  5. 📙 Diversity in smallholder farms growing coffee and their use of management practices – 2015, Experimental Agriculture, cited by 50 articles.
  6. 📒 Status and host plant utilization by black coffee twig borer in Uganda – 2013, Coffee Science Conference Proceedings, cited by 15 articles.
  7. 📔 Effect of Tithonia and Phytolacca extracts against banana weevil – 2008, Africa Journal of Animal and Biomedical Science, cited by 12 articles.

Conclusion

David Mukasa is a visionary agricultural scientist whose work has brought lasting benefits to farming communities, research institutions, and policy circles. His integrated approach to agriculture—blending field experience, technical expertise, and academic rigor—makes him a standout contributor to sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. His extensive publication record, commitment to farmer education, and leadership in climate resilience position him as a deserving nominee for the Innovative Research Award. His future work promises even greater impact as he expands collaborations and deepens research into sustainable solutions for smallholder agriculture.