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.
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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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