EXCEL Africa News: 2026 Scholar Award Recipients Announced!
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) has announced the 2026 finalists of its annual African Plant Nutrition Scholar Award. A total of ten students were selected from advanced science programs in Africa focused on plant nutrition and the management of nutrients applied to crops.
This scholarship is supported through APNI’s continued and valued partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and OCP Nutricrops. This initiative strives to encourage the brightest minds to focus on the critical target of continued advancement of the science of crop nutrition across Africa. Applications undergo a rigorous process via the selection committee, who consider the full spectrum of academic and personal achievements for each potential recipient. Each student receives $2,000 (U.S. dollars).
Since its establishment in 2020, this scholarship program, which is part of APNI’s Excel Africa initiative to recognize excellence in crop nutrition research and outreach, has distributed USD $140,000 to 70 graduate students across Africa.
This year’s recipients include:
Ahmad MAHMUD – Doctorate Program: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguérir, Morocco
Area of Study: Development of Multifunctional Hydrogel Materials for Water Retention, Controlled Release, and Enhanced Phosphorus Delivery in African Soils
Ahmad MAHMUD is a doctoral researcher working at the intersection of materials science, soil fertility, and plant nutrition. His research addresses the interconnected challenges of low phosphorus-use efficiency, water scarcity, and heat stress that constrain agricultural productivity across Africa. The research focuses on developing a multifunctional, biodegradable hydrogel that integrates enhanced soil-water retention, controlled nutrient release, and improved phosphorus delivery. The system also incorporates mineral-supported phase-change materials to provide root-zone thermal buffering. Chemically engineered to maintain its swelling capacity under saline conditions, the hydrogel is designed to overcome a key limitation of conventional superabsorbent materials.
The long-term goal of his research is to develop a soil amendment that improves fertilizer and water use efficiency while helping sustain crop productivity under saline, water-limited, and heat-stressed conditions. Ahmad aims to build a career in research and innovation, translating advances in materials science into sustainable fertilizer technologies and practical agricultural solutions that improve soil health, help crops perform under environmental stress, and contribute to food security across Africa.
Asmae BENHA – Masters Program: Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Morocco.
Area of Study: Assessment of Nutrient Circularity and Plant Nutrition Efficiency in Mountain Oasis Agro-ecosystems: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Carbon Flow Analysis in Apple Orchards of the Moroccan High Atlas.
Asmae BENHA is pursuing a master’s thesis that explores nutrient circularity in mountain oasis agro-ecosystems of the Moroccan High Atlas, with a particular focus on apple-based mixed crop–livestock farming systems in the communes of M’semrir and Tilmi, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco, located above 1,900 m altitude.
These traditional farming systems are characterized by scarce water resources, fragile soils with low organic matter, and strong interactions between crops, livestock, and households, making them ideal models for studying nutrient cycling. Her research investigates the circulation and efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon using a Material Flow Analysis (MFA) approach over three consecutive agricultural campaigns. Nutrient exchanges are quantified across five interconnected farm compartments: livestock, crop production, apple orchards, storage, and household, to evaluate nutrient use efficiency and identify the drivers of circularity across three representative farm types.
By combining nutrient flow quantification with indicators of agro-ecological performance, crop–livestock integration, nutrient conservation, and circularity, this research aims to identify practical strategies for reducing nutrient losses, improving resource efficiency, and strengthening the resilience of mountain oasis farming systems. More broadly, it contributes to the development of science-based plant nutrition management adapted to smallholder agriculture under climate change.
Her long-term ambition is to pursue a Ph.D. in agronomy or nutrition, investigating the links between nutrient cycling, soil health, crop quality, food systems, and human health. She aspires to contribute to internationally collaborative research while helping strengthen scientific capacity and mentoring the next generation of researchers in Morocco and across Africa.
Assiba Florence Aurore SOSSA – Masters Program: National University of Agriculture (UNA), Kétou, Benin.
Area of Study: Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency and Maize Productivity While Reducing Soil CO₂ Emissions Under Tillage and Biochar-Based Fertilization Systems in Southern Benin.
Assiba Florence Aurore SOSSA is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Soil Management and Conservation at the National University of Agriculture (UNA), Kétou, Benin.
Declining soil fertility, inefficient nutrient management, and conventional tillage practices continue to limit crop productivity and threaten the sustainability of smallholder farming systems in southern Benin. Her master’s research, evaluates how conservation tillage, mineral fertilizers, and biochar-based amendments can improve nutrient use efficiency, enhance maize productivity, and reduce soil CO₂ emissions.
By integrating agronomic performance with environmental assessments, the study aims to identify climate-smart nutrient management practices that improve soil health, increase crop productivity, and reduce environmental impacts. The findings are expected to contribute to the sustainable intensification of maize production systems in Benin and across West Africa.
Assiba’s future career goal is to become a researcher specializing in sustainable soil fertility management and climate-smart agriculture. She aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in soil science, focusing on nutrient use efficiency, soil carbon dynamics, and innovative soil management strategies for tropical agroecosystems. Ultimately, she hopes to contribute to developing science-based solutions that improve soil health, strengthen food security, and support resilient agricultural systems across Africa.
Desta Mulu Gebeyehu – Doctorate Program: Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
Area of Study: Acacia decurrens Tree-Based Farming on Soil Physicochemical and Biological Quality across Different Agroecologies in Awi Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia.
Ms. Desta Mulu Gebeyehu is a Ph.D. candidate examining how Acacia decurrens-based farming systems influence soil physicochemical and biological properties across diverse agroecological zones. The research aims to generate scientific evidence to support sustainable land management, improve soil health, enhance agricultural productivity, and promote environmental sustainability.
Following the completion of her Ph.D., Desta intends to pursue a career in academia and research, focusing on innovative and sustainable soil management strategies. Her long-term goal is to contribute to climate-resilient agriculture through research and practical solutions that restore soil health, improve agricultural sustainability, and strengthen natural resource management.
Galfato Gabiso – Doctorate Program: Haramaya University, Ethiopia
Area of Study: Evaluation of Climate-Smart Coffee Production and Integrated Nutrient Management in Agroforestry Systems of Sidama, Ethiopia.
Galfato Gabiso is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in Climate-Smart Crop Production and Management. With over 15 years of experience in agricultural research, natural resource management, and technology transfer, his work focuses on advancing climate-smart crop production systems and improving nutrient use efficiency in smallholder farming systems.
His doctoral research investigates how integrated nutrient management and climate-smart coffee production practices can improve nutrient use efficiency, soil health, coffee productivity, and the resilience of coffee-based agroforestry systems. Through field experimentation and participatory research, he evaluates climate-smart management practices, shade tree–coffee interactions, ecosystem carbon dynamics, legume intercropping, soil fertility, and water management to develop practical, science-based solutions for sustainable coffee production under changing climatic conditions. His research has been published in peer-reviewed international journals, with additional manuscripts accepted and under review.
Upon completing his Ph.D., he aims to advance research, teaching, and policy that promote climate-smart agriculture and integrated nutrient management across Africa. His long-term goal is to develop and scale innovative, evidence-based solutions that enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen farmer resilience, improve food security, and support sustainable agricultural development.
Lawrence Adawu Abbey – Masters Program, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Area of Study: Optimizing Site-Specific Nitrogen Management in Maize Production Using Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectrophotometry Approach.
Lawrence Adawu Abbey’s research focuses on advancing sustainable nutrient management in maize production through the application of precision agriculture technologies and innovative soil and plant nutrient assessment approaches.
He is investigating the application of Near-Infrared (NIR) spectrophotometry as a rapid, non-destructive, and efficient technique for assessing nitrogen status in maize production systems. The study evaluates the response of maize to different nitrogen application rates by examining plant growth, nitrogen uptake, and grain yield, while establishing relationships between NIR spectral measurements and conventional laboratory nitrogen analysis.
By integrating NIR-based assessment with crop response data, the research aims to develop a reliable approach for improving site-specific nitrogen management, enhancing fertilizer use efficiency, and promoting sustainable maize production. The findings are expected to support faster nutrient assessment, improve fertilizer recommendations, and contribute to more efficient decision-making in agricultural systems.
His long-term career goal is to pursue a career in academia and agricultural research, contributing to the development of innovative, practical solutions for sustainable soil fertility and nutrient management. He aspires to conduct impactful research, publish in leading scientific journals, mentor future agricultural scientists, and collaborate with researchers, farmers, policymakers, and development organizations to promote evidence-based agricultural practices that enhance food security and environmental sustainability.
Linda CHERONO – Masters Program: University of Eldoret, Kenya.
Area of Study: Root Phenotyping and Molecular Profiling for Drought and Low Phosphorus Resilience in Upland Rice.
Linda Cherono is focusing on identifying the genetic determinants that confer dual tolerance to drought and low-phosphorus stress in Kenyan upland rice (Oryza sativa L.).
Drought and phosphorus deficiency are major constraints in rain-fed upland systems, yet the genetic mechanisms enabling simultaneous adaptation remain poorly understood. This research integrates morphological, physiological, and molecular approaches to identify traits, genes, and predictive indices associated with dual-stress resilience.
Expected outputs include a comprehensive dataset linking root morphology, physiology, and molecular profiles under dual stress; validation of candidate genotypes and markers; and development of a dual-stress root ideotype for Kenyan rain-fed uplands. Beneficiaries include KALRO and universities’ postgraduate researchers. Long-term impacts include enhanced yield stability, reduced import dependency, strengthened rice value chains, and contributions to national food security objectives under Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Martin M. Moshi – Masters Program: Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania.
Area of Study: Improvement of Yield and Nutritional Quality of Grain Legumes through Sulfur Fertilization in Selected Regions of Tanzania.
Martin M. Moshi is investigating how soil sulfur status and fertilization strategies influence the growth, yield, and protein quality of common beans and groundnuts grown by smallholder farmers across diverse agroecological zones.
By linking soil fertility management to grain nutritional quality, the research aims to generate practical, evidence-based sulfur management recommendations that strengthen extension services, enhance legume productivity and protein quality, and contribute to improved nutrition, food security, and climate resilience in Tanzania and across Sub-Saharan Africa.
His career goal is to advance soil health, agricultural education, and sustainable land management through research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaborations. He aspires to train future agronomists and work with national and international partners to develop scalable soil health initiatives that improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food and nutrition security, and enhance the resilience of farming communities to climate change.
Jeancy NTUKA LUTA – Doctorate Program: University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Area of Study: Improving sandy soil acidity to boost plant nutrition and nitrogen use efficiency by applying biochar and lime in maize-soybean cropping systems in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
Jeancy is a Ph.D. candidate focusing on sustainable soil fertility management and plant nutrition to improve agricultural productivity in tropical agroecosystems.
His research investigates how biochar and agricultural lime can be integrated to improve acidic sandy soils, enhance nutrient availability, improve nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency (urea and DAP), and increase maize and soybean productivity. Through field and laboratory experiments, the study aims to develop locally adapted nutrient management strategies that improve soil health, optimize fertilizer performance, and contribute to sustainable crop production under the challenging conditions of sub-Saharan Africa.
His long-term career goal is to become an internationally recognized soil scientist specializing in plant nutrition and integrated soil fertility management. He aspires to conduct impactful research that supports evidence-based fertilizer recommendations, promotes climate-smart and sustainable agriculture, and strengthens the capacity of African farmers to improve soil productivity, plant nutrition, and food security. He also aims to mentor the next generation of African researchers and contribute to international collaborations addressing soil health and agricultural sustainability.
Yasin Mohammed Hasen – Doctorate Program: University of the Free State, South Africa.
Area of Study: Agroclimatic Risks and Maize Yield Responses to Soil Fertility Management under a Changing Climate in Ethiopia.
Yasin Mohammed Hasen is a PhD candidate investigating how climate variability and soil fertility management interact to influence maize productivity. While climate change has received considerable research attention, declining soil fertility remains one of the most immediate and persistent constraints limiting crop productivity for smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.
His research addresses this critical challenge by evaluating whether integrated soil fertility management can reduce climate-related yield losses and strengthen resilient maize production systems. The study aims to evaluate the reliability of climate datasets for agricultural applications, quantifies agroclimatic risks, calibrates and applies crop simulation models, and assesses the effectiveness of integrated soil fertility management under current and future climate scenarios.
Covering Ethiopia’s major maize-producing agroecological zones, it integrates long-term climate observations, drought risk assessment, and DSSAT crop simulation modelling to generate evidence-based recommendations that strengthen climate resilience, improve nutrient management, enhance food security, and support agricultural policy and decision-making in Ethiopia and across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Yasin’s long-term career goal is to become a leading researcher and academic, developing innovative, interdisciplinary solutions that integrate climate science, plant nutrition, crop modelling, and sustainable soil fertility management to advance agricultural productivity, food security, and climate resilience across Africa.