Maria Esmeralda Cuzco Cruz | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Maria Esmeralda Cuzco Cruz | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Maria Esmeralda Cuzco Cruz | Agriculture | Master at University of Guayaquil | Ecuador

Prof. Maria Esmeralda Cuzco Cruz is a distinguished scholar and researcher in the field of Agricultural Sciences, with a particular focus on Plant Protection, Entomology, Agroecology, and Sustainable Crop Systems. She earned her Ph.D. in Protected Agriculture (Plant Protection) from the University of Almería, Spain, where her doctoral research centered on biological pest control and greenhouse crop management. Prof. Cuzco Cruz also holds master’s degrees in Sanitation and Plant Production from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and in Geomatics, Remote Sensing, and Spatial Models for Forest Management from the University of Córdoba, Spain, complementing her undergraduate degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador. Professionally, she has served as a Professor and Researcher at leading institutions such as the University of Guayaquil, University Agraria del Ecuador, and Technological University ECOTEC, where she has contributed to both academic instruction and research leadership. Her research interests include biological control of insect pests, pest ecology in greenhouse systems, biodiversity assessment, and the integration of IoT and remote sensing technologies in sustainable agriculture. She is proficient in molecular and morphological pest identification, experimental design, statistical analysis, and spatial modeling techniques. Throughout her career, Prof. Cuzco Cruz has received multiple academic honors, including recognition for Outstanding Research in Agricultural Innovation and leadership in Sustainable Agroecological Development Projects. Her scholarly contributions are reflected in numerous peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus and Google Scholar, which address emerging challenges in pest management, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient agriculture. Prof. Maria Esmeralda Cuzco Cruz continues to promote scientific excellence through interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative approaches that strengthen sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship for future generations.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

  1. Cuzco Cruz, M. E., Bustos, J. P. Q., Cabrera, W. G. M., & Sánchez, A. J. L. (2022). Molecular and morphological characterization of the genus Pythium from forest species. RECIAMUC, 6(2), 375–387. 

  2. Cuzco Cruz, M. E. (2014). Development of rearing methods for Hambletonia pseudococcina (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and its efficacy in the biological control of Dysmicoccus texensis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).

  3. Sánchez, A. J. L., Sornoza, J. S. V., Cruz, M. E. C., & Bustos, J. P. Q. (2022). Evaluation of zootechnical parameters of Oreochromis spp fed with 8% corn FVH and ascorbic acid in earthen ponds. Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar, 6(5), 5056–5070.

  4. Cuzco, M. E., Vera, A. M., Quiñonez, J. P., Mera, L. F., & Lao, M. T. (2025). Influence of a greenhouse adapted to the Ecuadorian coastal climate on pest dynamics in tomato crops. Horticulturae, 11(11), 1279. 

  5. Cuzco, M., Santos, D., Vivas, M., Cotto, M., Vera, A., & Quito, E. (2024). Identification, spatial distribution and report of new records of pest and beneficial insect species in Ecuador from Samanea saman trees. African Journal of Biological Sciences, 6(Si4), 5458–5469.

  6. Rolando, L., Paulino, M. P., Astudillo-Astudillo, E. A., Cruz, M. E. C., et al. (2023). The impact of agroecological practices on biodiversity and agricultural productivity. Migration Letters, 20(S3), 1282–1294. 

  7. Prada Herrera, J. C., Bolaños Contreras, C. C., Cano Legua, F. E., & Cruz, M. E. C. (2023). Strategies for microbiological control in food: Microbiological control, agronomy, and environmental conservation. Journal of Namibian Studies, 33. 

 

Miguel Tafula | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Miguel Tafula | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Project Coordinator | National Irrigation Institute – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development | Mozambique

Miguel Tafula is an accomplished Agronomist Engineer with expertise in sustainable development, agri-food systems, and cooperative management. With over five years of experience in agricultural sustainability and research-for-development, Miguel has led initiatives to enhance resilience in food systems and improve the livelihoods of rural communities. His efforts in participatory irrigation management, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy have garnered international recognition.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Miguel holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development, Agri-Food, and Cooperatives from University College Cork (UCC), Ireland (2023–2024). His dissertation focused on barriers to sustainable land use among Irish farmers, aligning with national socio-economic and environmental goals. He earned a B.A.Sc. (Hons.) in Agronomic Engineering from Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique (2013–2017), where he researched efficient water use in maize production.

Experience

Miguel has held impactful roles, including as a Project Coordinator for the Transforming Smallholder Irrigation Systems (TISA) project in Mozambique (2019–2023). He implemented agricultural innovation platforms and trained over 500 stakeholders in sustainable practices, resulting in improved water and fertilizer use. Recently, he contributed as a researcher at UCC, conducting a systematic review to inform policy on sustainable land use.

Research Interests

Miguel’s research interests lie in sustainable agricultural systems, water resource management, and participatory approaches to technology adoption. His work focuses on enhancing the productivity and sustainability of smallholder farmers, improving climate resilience, and fostering collaborative solutions to agricultural challenges.

Awards

  • EFMD Excellence in Practice Gold Award for Ecosystem Development (2022): Recognized for his contributions to the TISA project in collaboration with partners from Australia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Selected Publications

  1. Tafula, M., et al. (2024): Climate change adaptation benefits from rejuvenated irrigation farming systems in Mozambique. International Journal of Water Resources Development. [Cited by 5 articles].
  2. Mdemu, M. V., et al. (2023): Participatory mapping of irrigation schemes in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Agricultural Water Management. [Cited by 10 articles].
  3. Wellington, M., et al. (2023): Decoupling crop production from water consumption in southern Africa. Agricultural Water Management. [Cited by 8 articles].
  4. Parry, K., et al. (2024): Women, youth, and tail-end users improving livelihoods in southern Africa. International Journal of Water Resources Development. [Cited by 3 articles].

Conclusion

Miguel Tafula exemplifies dedication to agricultural sustainability and community development. His academic rigor, practical expertise, and collaborative leadership have advanced transformative solutions in agriculture, earning him accolades and recognition. Through his work, he continues to drive impactful change for farmers and ecosystems globally.