Lemekezani Chilora | Agriculture economics | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Lemekezani Chilora | Agriculture economics | Young Scientist Award

Research Analayst,  MwAPATA Institute Malawi

Lemekezani K. Chilora is an accomplished Agricultural and Resource Economist with expertise in research, data analysis, and project management. He holds an MSc in Agriculture and Applied Economics and a BSc in Agricultural Economics from LUANAR. Currently a Research Analyst II at MwAPATA Institute, he conducts research, trains research assistants, develops data collection tools, and authors manuscripts and policy briefs. He has consulted for IITA, AGCOM, IFPRI, and other organizations. Previously, he worked as a lecturer at MUBAS and a monitoring and evaluation officer at CISANET. His research focuses on agricultural policy, food security, and rural development.

Publication Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

PhD (Agriculture and Resource Economics) – LUANAR (2026, Ongoing). MSc (Agriculture and Applied Economics) – LUANAR (2020). BSc (Agricultural Economics) – LUANAR (2016)

💼 Experience

MwAPATA Institute (2020 – Present) – Research Analyst II: Leads data collection, analysis, research, and policy development. CISANET (2020) – Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (Intern): Supported project implementation, strategic planning, and communications. Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (2019-2020) – Lecturer: Taught research, business planning, and community development. Japanese Tobacco International (2016-2017) – Graduate Trainee: Focused on tobacco production, forestry management, and research.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Principal Investigator (2023-2025): Research on input subsidies and food accessibility, funded by AERC ($30,000). STAAARS+ Fellow (Cornell University & PRCI): Research on gender differences in sustainable agriculture adoption. Principal Investigator (MSc Thesis, AERC Grant – $2,500): Research on child nutrition determinants in Malawi. Principal Investigator (IFPRI Grant – $3,000): Research on child nutrition under the Bunda Grants Scheme.

🔬 Research Focus

Lemekezani’s research focuses on agricultural policy, food security, rural livelihoods, and economic sustainability. His studies explore the effectiveness of input subsidies, gender disparities in agricultural intensification, and child nutrition determinants. He applies data-driven methodologies to assess policy impacts and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving food systems and rural economies in Malawi and beyond.

🔹 Conclusion

Mr. Chilora’s strong academic background, diverse professional experience, and involvement in significant research projects position him as a promising candidate for a Young Scientist Award. To enhance his eligibility, focusing on publishing his research findings in peer-reviewed journals, seeking international research collaborations, and taking on leadership roles in professional organizations would be beneficial. These steps would strengthen his profile and align with the typical criteria considered for such awards.

Publication 

  • Exploring Adoption Effects of Subsidies and Soil Fertility Management in Malawi (2021) – M Khonje, C Nyondo, L Chilora, J Mangisoni, WJ Burke, J Ricker-Gilbert – Citation: 15

  • Trends in Tobacco Production and Prices in Malawi (2021) – A Wineman, L Chilora, TS Jayne – Citation: 9

  • Challenges and Opportunities for Small-Scale Aquaculture Development in Malawi (2021) – MG Munthali, L Chilora, Z Nyirenda, D Salonga, A Wineman, M Muyanga – Citation: 9

  • The Economic Cost-benefit Analysis of Black Soldier Fly as an Alternative Animal and Fish Feed Ingredient in Malawi (2023) – MG Munthali, C Lemekezani, G Mike, B William J, B Eric, K Jeremiah, … – Citation: 8

  • Lessons Learnt: Promises, Achievements, Shortcomings and Pitfalls of Inputs Subsidy Programs in Malawi (2021) – C Nyondo, M Khonje, J Mangisoni, WJ Burke, J Ricker-Gilbert, LK Chilora – Citation: 5*

  • Determinants of Children’s Nutritional Status in Malawi (2020) – LK Chilora, J Duchoslav – Citation: 2

  • Productivity and Profitability of Small-Scale Aquaculture in Malawi (2024) – MG Munthali, L Chilora, A Wineman, B Nankwenya, L Chiwaula, … – Citation: 1

  • Characteristics of the Small-Scale Aquaculture Sector in Malawi (2023) – MG Munthali, L Chilora, Z Nyirenda, D Saonga, A Wineman, M Muyanga – Citation: 1

  • Does the Choice of Tilapia Species in Smallholder Farms Impact Household Income and Dietary Diversity in Malawi? (2025) – LK Chilora, M Munthali, A Wineman, MG Khonje – Citation: N/A

  • Agricultural Diversification Strategies and Rural Household Food Security and Income in Malawi (2025) – A Gondwe, LK Chilora, L Chiwaula, J Goeb – Citation: N/A

  • What Promotes Gender Equity in Land Rental Markets? Evidence from Malawi (2024) – H Phiri, M Maggie G., M Malata, L Chilora, M Kennedy, M Muyanga – Citation: N/A

  • Drivers of Agricultural Growth in Malawi (2024) – A Gondwe, LK Chilora, L Chiwaula, WJ Burke – Citation: N/A

  • Pre-disaster Preparedness and Post-disaster Response Measures in the District Councils of Southern Malawi (2024) – A Gondwe, B Nankwenya, LK Chilora, J Goeb – Citation: N/A

 

Yingmei Tang | Rural Finance | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Prof. Yingmei Tang | Rural Finance | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yingmei Tang, College of Finance, Nanjing Agricultural University, China

Prof. Yingmei Tang specializes in rural finance, agricultural insurance, and farmers’ production behavior. She earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics and Management from Nanjing Agricultural University (2012) and has held visiting scholar positions at The Ohio State University and Beijing University. With numerous publications in prestigious journals like China Agricultural Economic Review and International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, her research highlights the impact of weather index insurance and rural economic behaviors. Prof. Tang has received several accolades, including the Outstanding Research Paper Award (AAEA, 2019) and Teaching Quality Excellence Awards (2016, 2022, 2023). She has authored influential books, including Demand for Weather Index Insurance (2021). 🌟

Publication Profile

Scopus

Academic Journey

Prof. Yingmei Tang is an accomplished academic with extensive expertise in agricultural economics and management. She earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics and Management from Nanjing Agricultural University in 2012, following an M.S. from Northeast Agricultural University in 2001. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Harbin University of Commerce in 1992. Prof. Tang further honed her expertise as a Visiting Scholar at The Ohio State University (2014–2015) and Beijing University (2011–2012). Her research and teaching contributions have significantly advanced the field of agricultural economics and management. 🌱📚

Professional Experience 💼📊

Prof. Yingmei Tang has built a distinguished career in academia and finance. She began her professional journey as an Accountant at Harbin Dongan Engine Manufacturing Company (1992–1998). Transitioning to academia, she served as an Assistant Associate Professor at the College of Finance, Nanjing Agricultural University, from 2001 to 2011. Her dedication and expertise earned her the position of Associate Professor (2012–2017) and later Professor in 2018, a role she continues to excel in. Prof. Tang’s career reflects her unwavering commitment to financial education and research. 🏢📈

Honors and Achievements 🏆📜

Prof. Yingmei Tang has earned numerous accolades for her exceptional contributions to research and education. She received the Outstanding Paper Award from Emerald Publishing Group (2019) for her work on weather index insurance and agricultural technology adoption in China. The Agricultural Applied Economics Association recognized her with the Outstanding Research Paper Award (2019) for insights into rural finance. She also won the Outstanding Paper Award at the 12th China Rural Finance Development Forum (2018). Additionally, Prof. Tang has been honored with the Teaching Quality Excellence Award at Nanjing Agricultural University in 2016, 2022, and 2023. 🌟📚

Research Focus 🌾📊

Prof. Yingmei Tang’s research focuses on agricultural economics, risk management, and sustainable development. Her work emphasizes weather index insurance and its role in reducing farmers’ credit default rates, adopting agricultural technology, and managing catastrophic risks. She explores marketing strategies, farmers’ willingness to pay for insurance, and informal risk management practices. Her contributions, including field economic experiments in China, have provided critical insights into behavioral responses to insurance policies and natural disasters. With multiple highly-cited publications, her work significantly advances understanding of rural finance and resilience in agricultural communities. 🌱📈✨

Publication Top Notes

  • 📄 Can Weather Index Insurance Reduce Farmers’ Credit Default Rates Under Trust Games?—Based on a Field Economic Experiment (2025) – Cited by: 0

 

  • 📄 Will Marketing Strategies Affect Farmers’ Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Catastrophe Insurance? Evidence from a Choice Experiment in China (2022) – Cited by: 4

 

  • 📄 Farmers’ Demand for Informal Risk Management Strategy and Weather Index Insurance: Evidence from China (2021) – Cited by: 18

 

  • 📄 The Impact of Weather Index Insurance on Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Field Economic Experiment in China (2019) – Cited by: 16

 

  • 📄 Does Experience with Natural Disasters Affect Willingness-to-Pay for Weather Index Insurance? Evidence from China (2019) – Cited by: 28