Fortune Lindy Manganyi | Agricultural | Young Scientist Award

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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

 

Rajesh Kumar Soothar | Irrigation | Young Scientist Award

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Assist Prof Dr. Rajesh Kumar Soothar | Irrigation | Young Scientist Award

👨‍🏫Profile Summary

Dedicated and accomplished professional with a Ph.D. in Agricultural Water Resources and extensive experience in academia. Possesses a strong academic background with a Master’s degree in Irrigation and Drainage and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering. Over six years of progressive experience as an Assistant Professor, delivering high-quality education and contributing to research in the field. Previously served as a Lecturer and Teaching Assistant, demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence. Skilled in research, teaching, and mentoring, with a focus on agricultural engineering and water resource management.

🌐 Professional Profiles

 

 

🎓 Qualifications

  • Ph.D. (Agricultural Water Resources and its Environment)
    • Year: 2020
    • Grade: 92%
    • Institution: Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
  • M.E. (Irrigation and Drainage)
    • Year: 2014
    • Grade: 87%
    • Institution: SAU (Possibly referring to an unspecified university or institution)
  • B.E. (Agricultural Engineering)
    • Year: 2011
    • Grade: 3.6 (CGPA)
    • Institution: SAU (Possibly referring to an unspecified university or institution)

👨‍💼 Employment Record (Professional Experience)

  • Assistant Professor
    • Period: February 16, 2017 – Present
    • Total Service: 6 years + 2 months (as of March 2024)
  • Lecturer
    • Period: May 05, 2014 – February 15, 2017
    • Total Service: 2 years + 8 months
  • Teaching Assistant (Department of Basic Engineering)
    • Period: June 24, 2013 – May 04, 2014
    • Total Service: 11 months
  • Research Assistant (HEC)
    • Period: May 26, 2012 – May 04, 2014
    • Total Service: 2 years

📚Top Noted Publication

  1. Title: Drought priming improved water status, photosynthesis and water productivity of cowpea during post-anthesis drought stress

    • Authors: M Tankari, C Wang, H Ma, X Li, L Li, RK Soothar, N Cui, M Zaman-Allah, …
    • Journal: Agricultural Water Management
    • Volume: 245
    • Page: 106565
    • Year: 2021

     

    Title: Evaluating the performance of SALTMED model under alternate irrigation using saline and fresh water strategies to winter wheat in the North China Plain

    • Authors: RK Soothar, W Zhang, Y Zhang, M Tankari, U Mirjat, Y Wang
    • Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
    • Volume: 26
    • Pages: 34499-34509
    • Year: 2019

     

    Title: Sustaining yield of winter wheat under alternate irrigation using saline water at different growth stages: a case study in the North China Plain

    • Authors: RK Soothar, W Zhang, B Liu, M Tankari, C Wang, L Li, H Xing, D Gong, …
    • Journal: Sustainability
    • Volume: 11
    • Issue: 17
    • Page: 4564
    • Year: 2019

     

    Title: Leaf Gas Exchange, Plant Water Relations and Water Use Efficiency of Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp. Inoculated with Rhizobia under Different Soil Water Regimes

    • Authors: M Tankari, C Wang, X Zhang, L Li, RK Soothar, H Ma, H Xing, C Yan, …
    • Journal: Water
    • Volume: 11
    • Issue: 3
    • Page: 498
    • Year: 2019

     

    Title: EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER DOSES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SPINACH (SPINACIA OLERACEA L.).

    • Authors: M Solangi, V Suthar, B Wagan, AG Siyal, A Sarkc, RK Soothar
    • Journal: Science International
    • Volume: 28
    • Issue: 1
    • Year: 2016

     

    Title: Analysis of Conveyance Losses from Tertiary Irrigation Network

    • Authors: RKS Naeem Shah Bukhari Syed, Zhao Shuqi, Muhammad Munir Babar
    • Journal: Civil Engineering Journal
    • Volume: 7
    • Issue: 10
    • Pages: 1731-1740
    • Year: 2021

     

    Title: Effect of different soil moisture regimes on plant growth and water use efficiency of Sunflower: experimental study and modeling

    • Authors: MAR R. K. Soothar, A. Singha, S. A. Soomro, A. Chachar, F. Kalhoro
    • Journal: Bulletin of the National Research Centre
    • Volume: 45
    • Year: 2021

     

    Title: Comparative study of scientific and traditional water application practices for wheat crop

    • Authors: AA Tagar, A Soomro, SM Bhatti, S Memon, RK Soothar
    • Journal: Pakistan Journal of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary …
    • Year: 2016

     

    Title: Effects of irrigation frequencies on soil salinity and crop water productivity of fodder maize

    • Authors: AN Chachar, MU Mirjat, RK Soothar, IA Shaikh, MH Mirjat, SA Dahri
    • Journal: Acta Ecologica Sinica
    • Volume: 40
    • Issue: 4
    • Pages: 277-282
    • Year: 2020

     

    Title: Estimating seepage losses in different size of earthen watercourses at farm level

    • Authors: RK Soothar, MS Mirjat, MA Mangrio, AS Chandio, N Leghari
    • Journal: Pakistan Journal of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary …
    • Year: 2015

     

    Title: Drought priming alleviated salinity stress and improved water use efficiency of wheat plants

    • Authors: A Singha, RK Soothar, C Wang, EET Marín, M Tankari, W Hao, Y Wang
    • Journal: Plant Growth Regulation
    • Year: 2022

     

    Title: Soil Salt Accumulation, Physiological Responses, and Yield Simulation of Winter Wheat to Alternate Saline and Fresh Water Irrigation in the North China Plain

    • Authors: RK Soothar, C Wang, L Li, N Cui, W Zhang, Y Wang
    • Journal: Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
    • Year: 2021

     

    Title: Nutrient uptake of some okra varieties as influenced by different levels of applied N, P and K

    • Authors: M Solangi, AA Tagar, AM Solangi, AG Siyal, RK Soothar, AR Shah
    • Journal: Sci Inter
    • Volume: 27
    • Pages: 4327-4331
    • Year: 2015