Fortune Lindy Manganyi | Agricultural | Young Scientist Award

Mrs. Fortune Lindy Manganyi | Agricultural | Young Scientist Award

Research Technician at Agricultural Research Council, South Africa

Fortune Lindy Manganyi-Valoyi is a South African Research Technician at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), specializing in forage production and evaluation. She holds an MSc in Agriculture (Pasture Science) and has vast experience in fieldwork, project management, and research in the agricultural sector. Fortune is passionate about improving livestock production through forage crops, and she leads various research initiatives related to sustainable land management and environmental conservation. She is skilled in overseeing experimental trials, training farmers, and facilitating knowledge transfer. Additionally, she supervises forage production teams and interns, contributing to the development of South Africa’s agricultural research and knowledge base.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

MSc in Agriculture (Pasture Science), University of South Africa, 2024. BSc. Agriculture (Pasture Science) (Honours), University of Limpopo, 2014. Project Management (Certificate), University of Pretoria, 2024. Introduction to Seed Science (Certificate), University of Pretoria, 2022. Scientist Profession (SACNASP Registration), 2018. Senior Certificate, Nyanisi Secondary School, 2010

💼 Experience

Fortune has served as a Research Technician at ARC since December 2019, managing forage production projects, conducting veld condition assessments, and overseeing the evaluation of various forage species. She coordinates field trips, trains farmers, and supervises the forage production team. Previously, she worked as a Scientific Production Intern, Agricultural Advisor, and Postgraduate Trainee, gaining expertise in pasture management, research development, and sustainable agricultural practices.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Accepted Publications in African Journal of Range & Forage Science and Grasses Journal, 2024. Contributed to the development of scientific methodologies in forage crop preservation and seed germination research. Recognition for outstanding research contributions, including the publication on “The Potential for Endozoochorous Dispersal of Vachellia nilotica Seeds”. Active in national research initiatives for South African rangeland improvement, including funding for forage production trials and demonstration plots.

🔬 Research Focus

Fortune’s research focuses on sustainable forage production, seed germination, and the evaluation of Brachiaria and other indigenous grass species. She investigates methods to improve livestock feed through better crop practices, evaluating crops like Calobota sericea and Vachellia nilotica in semi-arid rangelands. Her work also addresses bush encroachment and water-limited agricultural conditions, striving for solutions in the optimization of forage resources in South Africa’s challenging ecological zones.

Conclusion

Fortune Lindy Manganyi-Valoyi is a highly promising candidate for the Young Scientist Award, demonstrating a blend of academic excellence, practical research contributions, and leadership potential. Her work in the forage and pasture science sector addresses key challenges in South Africa’s agricultural landscape, particularly regarding sustainable feed production and bush encroachment management. Given her solid academic background, significant research involvement, and leadership skills, she stands out as a deserving candidate for this recognition.

📚Publications 

  1. Ensiling as a technique for preservation of the nutritional quality of Vachellia nilotica
    • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science
    • Date: December 11, 2024
    • DOI: 10.2989/10220119.2024.2415667
    • Contributors: Fortune L Manganyi, Julius Tjelele, Khanyisile R Mbatha, Ngoako Letsoalo, Stephen Modiba, Thamsanqa Mpanza, Francuois Müller

 

  1. Seed Germination Responses to Temperature and Osmotic Stress Conditions in Brachiaria Forage Grasses
    • Journal: Grasses
    • Date: October 17, 2024
    • DOI: 10.3390/grasses3040019
    • Contributors: Francuois L. Müller, Jabulile E. Leroko, Clement F. Cupido, Igshaan Samuels, Nothando Ngcobo, Elizabeth L. Masemola, Fortune Manganyi-Valoyi, Tlou Julius Tjelele

 

  1. Influence of different temperatures on seedling growth and development of Calobota sericea, a semi-arid rangeland species of South Africa
    • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science
    • Date: July 2, 2024
    • DOI: 10.2989/10220119.2024.2311105
    • Contributors: Francuois Müller, Letty Masemola, Fortune Manganyi, Nothando Ngcobo

 

Dominic Tasila Konja | Agricultural Economics | Young Scientist Award

 Dr. Dominic Tasila Konja | Agricultural Economics | Young Scientist Award

With a solid academic foundation in Agricultural Economics and extensive practical experience, I am driven by principles of hard work, patience, and continuous learning. I thrive both independently and within diverse teams, adapting seamlessly to multicultural settings. My career objective is to secure a lecturing position in a reputable tertiary institution, specializing in subjects such as Entrepreneurship, Marketing, International Trade, Agribusiness, and Economics. I possess a Master’s in Agricultural Economics from the University for Development Studies and have contributed significantly as an Agricultural Extension Agent and Teaching Assistant. My research interests include agricultural productivity, econometric modeling, and consumer preference analysis, supported by proficiency in STATA, SPSS, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Profile

Scopus

Scholar

Personal Motivation 💪🌍

I believe in hard work with patience, humility, and determination. I am not afraid to make mistakes but learn from them, turning failures into successes. While I excel in team environments to achieve common goals, I am also capable of working independently with minimal supervision. Adaptability in multicultural settings and perseverance until achieving goals are integral to my work ethic.

Career Objective📚🌱💼

To secure employment as a lecturer in a reputable tertiary institution, imparting knowledge in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, International Trade, Agribusiness, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Resource Economics, Environmental Economics, and Research Methodology.

Educational Training

  • M.Phil. Agricultural Economics (2016 – 2019)
    University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus
  • Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness (2011 – 2015)
    University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus
    Second Class Upper Division
  • Certificate of Proficiency in Computer (April – October, 2007)
    JASU Ventures, Computer Training Division, Yeji

Working Experience📊📝🎓

Agricultural Extension Agent Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Kumbungu District, Northern Region October 2018 – Present. Teaching Assistant National Service, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus September 2014 – August 2015. Inventory Officer (Internship) USAID, ACDI/VOCA, ADVANCE II, West Mamprusi DistrictOctober 2015 – August 2016. Teacher Springboard International School, Yeji-Brong Ahafo Region July 2011 – September 2011

Research Experience

  • Conducted several research projects focusing on agricultural economics, resource efficiency, and community development across Northern Ghana.

Workshops and Seminars Attended

  • Attended workshops and seminars enhancing research skills, including proposal writing, questionnaire design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

Research Interests

  • Agricultural productivity and frontier analyses
  • Econometric modeling
  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Profitability analysis
  • Consumer preference analysis

Information, Technology, and Communication Skills💻📊🖥️

Proficient in STATA, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and Internet applications.

Publications Top Notes 📝

  • Technical and resource-use-efficiency among smallholder rice farmers in Northern Ghana
    • Journal: Cogent Food & Agriculture
    • Cited by: 46
    • Year: 2019

 

  • Profitability and profit efficiency of certified groundnut seed and conventional groundnut production in Northern Ghana: A comparative analysis
    • Journal: Cogent Economics & Finance
    • Cited by: 25
    • Year: 2019

 

  • Technology Adoption and Output Difference Among Groundnut Farmers in Northern Ghana
    • Journal: The European Journal of Development Research
    • Cited by: 6
    • Year: 2021

 

  • Market participation of smallholder groundnut farmers in Northern Ghana: Generalised double-hurdle model approach
    • Journal: Cogent Economics & Finance
    • Cited by: 4
    • Year: 2023

 

  • The locational and gendered impacts of Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) on children education in Ghana
    • Journal: International Journal of Social Economics
    • Cited by: 2
    • Year: 2022

 

  • Collective market action, farm performance, and household welfare among maize farmers: the role of outgrower scheme in Northern Ghana
    • Journal: Applied Economics
    • Year: 2024