*Position Title: *PhD in Empowering Phosphorous and Smart irrigation Role
in building Climate-Smarter Agriculture in Africa



*Description:*

Climate change already affects agricultural productivity, especially of
poor smallholder farmers. On the African continent scale, only 6% of
agricultural land is currently irrigated. In the years to come, the demand
for water in African agriculture will continue to grow to support the
increase in productivity. Input’s supply is a key factor for increased
agricultural productivity; fertilizers, as one of the main agricultural
inputs, plays important role in tackling climate change in addition to
improving the farming value chain.

As a promising solution, African farmers are supposed to adopt
Climate-Smart agriculture (CSA) based on smart irrigation management and
balanced fertilization to be prepared for climatic uncertainties (water
deficit, high temperature stress…) and to contribute in the food security
goal.



This PhD project will strive to unlock various technical and economic
opportunities ahead of CSA framework in Africa by investigating smart
irrigation and sustainable Phosphorous fertilization-based strategies under
African context.

By taking advantage from the high-resolution climate modeling, crop
modelling, GIS technologies and the agronomic sciences, this research
project proposes to quantify and demonstrate the added value of
climate-Smart irrigation and P-fertilization in African CSA models; in such
farming framework, mitigation and adaptation efforts to climate change are
joined with increased productivity and farmer income goals.



*Key duties:*

   - Performing different modeling tasks: Climate change, plant growth,
   irrigation water dynamics, Carbon dioxide, nutrients dynamics…etc
   - Implementing and supervising field experiments
   - Conducting field investigations and surveys
   - Collecting and analysing multi-source biophysical and socio-economic
   data



*Criteria of the candidate:   *

   - Both desktop and ground enthusiast
   - Good analytical vision
   - Willingness to travel in Morocco and Africa



*Skills:   *

   - M.sc (or equivalent) in Agricultural sciences
   - Good understanding of Climate change’ related issues in Africa
   - Good programming skills
   - Fluency in English language



*Mohammed VI Polytechnic University*

International Water Research Institute (IWRI)

ohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research
and innovation in Africa and aims to position itself among world-renowned
universities in its fields

The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts
research and innovation at the forefront of African development. A
mechanism that enables it to consolidate Morocco's frontline position in
these fields, in a unique partnership-based approach and boosting skills
training relevant for the future of Africa.

Located in the municipality of Benguerir, in the very heart of the Green
City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to leave its mark
nationally, continentally, and globally.


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