Tatek Wondimu Negash | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural Researcher at Ethiopia Institute Of Agricultural Research | Ethiopia

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash is a highly dedicated and results-oriented water resources and irrigation engineer with over eight years of professional experience in agricultural water management, hydrology, irrigation system design, and climate change adaptation. Based in Adama, Ethiopia, he serves as a researcher at the Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), where he integrates scientific research with practical solutions for sustainable agriculture. Tatek has led and contributed to various projects that enhance water use efficiency, improve irrigation technologies, and support farmers with tailored agricultural interventions. His work emphasizes the integration of scientific tools such as ArcGIS, ArcSWAT, and Aquacrop in real-world irrigation design and scheduling. Known for his collaborative approach, he works closely with farmers, development organizations, and academic institutions across Africa. Tatek’s strong publication record, combined with his international training exposure and technical skills, reflects his growing influence in the field of water management and agricultural sustainability.

Professional Profile 

Education

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering from Hawassa University, Ethiopia, completed. He further advanced his education by earning a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering from the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana. supported by a World Bank-funded scholarship through the African Centre of Excellence Impact Project (ACE Impact). His MPhil thesis focused on the “Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Watershed Hydrology,” showcasing his research capacity in addressing environmental and hydrological challenges. Throughout his education, Tatek demonstrated excellence in academic performance, practical fieldwork, and interdisciplinary research. He has also enriched his qualifications through several professional certifications and short courses in data analysis, hydrological modeling, eco-hydrology, and integrated water resource management in collaboration with international universities and research centers in India, the Netherlands, and beyond.

Professional Experience

Since 2016, Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash has served as a Water Resources and Irrigation Engineer and Researcher at the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, part of the Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). His responsibilities include designing and supervising irrigation systems, evaluating water-saving technologies, and conducting research on soil-water-climate interactions. Tatek has led efforts in optimizing irrigation scheduling for various crops under different climatic and topographic conditions. He is deeply involved in applied field research, including establishing furrow lengths, irrigation times, and flow rates tailored to specific crops and soils. In addition, he provides technical supervision for infrastructure projects such as small dams, canals, and drainage systems. His work also involves capacity building—facilitating training workshops for local stakeholders and collaborating with development agencies. With his strong technical knowledge and problem-solving approach, Tatek contributes meaningfully to the development of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices across Ethiopia’s arid and semi-arid regions.

Research Interests

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash’s research interests focus on the intersection of agricultural water management, climate change, land use, and irrigation system optimization. He is particularly interested in understanding how changing land cover and climate variability affect hydrological responses in semi-arid watersheds. His work includes evapotranspiration estimation, crop water requirement analysis, and precision irrigation for improved crop yields. Tatek is passionate about developing efficient water allocation strategies that maximize productivity while ensuring sustainability and resilience in farming systems. He has conducted extensive research on crops such as tomato, maize, sorghum, haricot bean, and pepper, evaluating their water needs and economic returns under varied irrigation regimes. His scientific contributions help promote climate-smart agriculture by integrating hydrological modeling, geospatial analysis, and on-ground experiments. Tatek is also interested in scaling up practical, low-cost irrigation technologies for smallholder farmers, ensuring that research outcomes have a tangible impact on livelihoods and food security.

Research Skills

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash brings a wide array of research and technical skills to his field. He is proficient in geospatial tools such as ArcGIS, ArcSWAT, and ERDAS Imagine for watershed analysis, land use classification, and hydrological modeling. Additionally, he uses crop simulation tools like AquaCrop, CROPWAT, DSSAT, and software such as AutoCAD and EPANET for irrigation design and water distribution analysis. Tatek has hands-on experience conducting field experiments, managing large datasets, and performing statistical analyses to inform evidence-based recommendations. He also excels in stakeholder collaboration, facilitating training programs, and engaging in multidisciplinary teamwork with farmers, government agencies, and researchers. His ability to merge scientific modeling with practical design solutions makes him a valuable contributor to applied agricultural research. Moreover, his publication record in peer-reviewed journals highlights his strong academic writing, data interpretation, and research dissemination capabilities, reinforcing his role as an emerging leader in water and irrigation engineering.

Awards and Honors

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash has received several notable awards and honors recognizing his academic excellence and research contributions. Most prominently, he was awarded a Master’s Scholarship by the West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA) under the World Bank’s ACE Impact Project—a competitive scholarship granted to promising researchers in Africa. He is also a Certificate-holding Editorial Board Member of the 5th Edition of the International Analytical Chemistry Awards, demonstrating his engagement with the broader scientific community. In addition, he has earned multiple certifications in Python programming, Jupyter tools, and data analysis from 365 Data Science and Udacity, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and data-driven research. Tatek’s participation in international workshops and short courses organized by institutions from India, the Netherlands, and Ghana further highlights his proactive involvement in global academic networks. These recognitions affirm his potential as a forward-thinking researcher in sustainable water management.

Publications Top Noted

  • Optimal irrigation water allocation for enhanced productivity of haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and economic gain: An experiment conducted in the semi-arid area of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2025

  • Optimal Irrigation Water Allocation for Enhanced Productivity of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Economic Gain: Evidence From the Semi‐Arid Region of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2025

  • Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient for Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Using Nonweighing Lysimeter Under Semiarid Climate of Melkassa, Ethiopia

    • Year: 2025

  • Irrigation Water Allocation for Enhanced Productivity and Economic Gain of Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): A Study in Semi-arid Region of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2025

  • Maize (Zea mays L., 1753.) evapotranspiration and crop coefficient in semi-arid region of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2024

  • Determination of Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient for Tomato by Using Non-Weighing Lysimeter in Semiarid Region

    • Year: 2024

  • Nitrogen and Soil Moisture Optimization for Tomato Crops in Semi-Arid Areas of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2024

  • Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) at Melkassa Farmland, Semi-Arid Area of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2023

  • Impact of land-use and land-cover change on watershed hydrology: a case study of Mojo watershed, Ethiopia

    • Year: 2022

Conclusion

Tatek Wondimu Negash is a highly capable, technically proficient, and impactful researcher in the field of agricultural water management and irrigation engineering. His consistent publication record, applied research expertise, and contributions to capacity building in Ethiopia and beyond make him a strong and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Continued international collaboration and scaling up his research impact will further solidify his standing as a leader in the field.

VP Chaudhary | Crop Science | Excellence in Innovation Award

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Dr. VP Chaudhary | Crop Science | Excellence in Innovation Award

Head & Principal Scientist at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal | India

Dr. Ved Prakash Chaudhary is a distinguished agricultural scientist with over 23 years of experience in research, extension, teaching, and administration, currently serving as the Head of the Agricultural Mechanization Division and Principal Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal. His work focuses on advancing farm mechanization and integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and drone systems into agricultural systems. Over the years, he has significantly contributed to the development of gender-friendly tools, resource conservation technologies, and precision farming solutions, thereby enhancing productivity and sustainability. Dr. Chaudhary has held several leadership and advisory positions, including as a nodal officer, welfare officer, and chairman of multiple committees within ICAR institutions. With an impressive academic record and extensive field-level impact, he has become a national figure in mechanized agriculture and a key contributor to bridging the gap between agricultural engineering research and rural development.

Professional Profile 

Education

Dr. Chaudhary’s academic journey is rooted in excellence, beginning with a B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering from Allahabad University in 1995, where he graduated first with honors. He went on to pursue M.Tech in Farm Machinery and Power Engineering from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, completing it in 1998 with a top rank. He later obtained his Ph.D. in the same discipline from the same university in 2001, with an impressive first-class performance. His educational background is highly aligned with his career focus on mechanization and energy use in agriculture. The strong engineering and research foundation established through his formal education has been instrumental in shaping his innovative and technical outlook toward agricultural challenges. His expertise in mechanical systems, coupled with academic training in agricultural sciences, has enabled him to lead transformative initiatives in mechanized and precision agriculture across India.

Professional Experience

Dr. Ved Prakash Chaudhary has over 23 years and 8 months of professional experience, all under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), progressively rising from Scientist to Principal Scientist and Division Head. His early work at ICAR-IIFSR, Modipuram, involved research and extension in farming systems and mechanization. He was later promoted to Senior Scientist and eventually Principal Scientist, before taking charge as the Head of Agricultural Mechanization Division at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal. He has served on academic councils, board of studies, chaired multiple institutional committees, and acted as a nodal officer for national outreach initiatives such as “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav”. Internationally, he has collaborated with organizations in Israel, the USA, and Bangladesh. His leadership extends to academic collaborations, program formulation, and MoUs with universities and government agencies. Dr. Chaudhary’s diverse responsibilities reflect his capacity to blend strategic leadership with hands-on research and technological innovation.

Research Interest

Dr. Chaudhary’s research interests center on farm mechanization, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, and autonomous vehicles into agriculture. His work explores innovative solutions for precision agriculture, sensor-based monitoring of soil and plant health, and energy management in agriculture. He also emphasizes the development of ergonomically designed tools for women farmers, promoting gender equity in farm operations. Another focus area includes climate-smart mechanization aimed at sustainable and resource-efficient farming. His interdisciplinary approach connects engineering principles with ecological and socioeconomic needs. Dr. Chaudhary has also led initiatives on conservation agriculture and biomass energy use, reflecting a holistic view of sustainability. He is particularly interested in how digital technologies and smart systems can optimize farm productivity, reduce labor intensity, and minimize environmental footprints. His research consistently addresses field-level problems with scalable innovations, emphasizing both scientific rigor and rural applicability.

Research Skills

Dr. Chaudhary possesses a robust suite of research skills in agricultural engineering, with specialization in design, testing, and evaluation of farm machinery, sensor-based systems, and precision farming technologies. He is skilled in conducting field trials, machine performance assessments, and data-driven agricultural modeling. His expertise in the use of AI, robotics, and remote sensing in agriculture equips him to lead interdisciplinary projects at the frontier of modern agri-tech. He has developed and standardized several mechanized tools suited to diverse agro-ecologies and user needs, particularly focusing on smallholder and women farmers. Dr. Chaudhary is also adept at drafting technical bulletins, training manuals, and policy-oriented documents. His strong communication and collaborative research capabilities have enabled successful partnerships with national and international institutions. His ability to translate research into extension services demonstrates his applied research orientation and skill in knowledge dissemination to farming communities.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Chaudhary has received numerous recognitions for his outstanding contributions to agricultural engineering and mechanization. He has authored five technical books, edited international conference proceedings, and been an invited speaker at multiple institutions. His work has been published in over 125 scientific publications, including in reputed journals like Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Energy, and Soil and Tillage Research, with total citations exceeding 900. He has served as Editor-in-Chief for a semi-annual Hindi agricultural magazine and is a peer reviewer for top-tier international journals. Dr. Chaudhary has also represented India internationally through training and knowledge-sharing events in Israel, the USA, and Bangladesh. His administrative contributions have been formally recognized within ICAR, where he chaired welfare and infrastructure committees and contributed to major programmatic and institutional reforms. His broad impact—scientific, social, and administrative—cements his stature as an award-worthy innovator in agricultural research and leadership.

Publications Top Noted

  • Auditing of energy use and output of different cropping systems in India
    Year: 2006 | Citations: 208

  • Energy conservation and greenhouse gas mitigation under different production systems in rice cultivation
    Year: 2017 | Citations: 167

  • Energy auditing of diversified rice–wheat cropping systems in Indo-Gangetic Plains
    Year: 2009 | Citations: 147

  • Enhancing methane production in anaerobic digestion through hydrogen-assisted pathways – A state-of-the-art review
    Year: 2021 | Citations: 105

  • Soil conservation issues in India
    Year: 2016 | Citations: 70

Conclusion

Dr. Ved Prakash Chaudhary stands as an ideal candidate for the Research for Excellence in Innovation Award. His visionary work in farm mechanization, technology-enabled agriculture, and academic leadership has positioned him at the forefront of agri-tech innovation in India. His impressive blend of scholarly output, field-level interventions, and institutional responsibilities reflects the spirit of the award. With minor expansion in commercialization strategies and cross-disciplinary research, his future contributions could set new benchmarks in agricultural research and innovation.