Research Area: Hydrological modeling
Nationality: Ghanaian
Time Frame: April 2014 – October 2014
Emmanuel is a Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana. He holds a Msc in Soil Science from Ghent University, Belgium. His current research focuses on agricultural water management in smallholder farming systems in Northern Ghana using the water balance model BANDIT.
Getting access to learning/sharing spaces where I can meet senior agricultural water
Management (AWM) researchers, and benefit from their rich and established competence has always been my dream as a young scientist. I was, therefore, motivated to apply for this program organized by IWMI to build my capacity in AWM and acquire an in-depth knowledge of AWM interventions, and to bridge the inter-generational gap between the old research scientists and the young ones.
Management (AWM) researchers, and benefit from their rich and established competence has always been my dream as a young scientist. I was, therefore, motivated to apply for this program organized by IWMI to build my capacity in AWM and acquire an in-depth knowledge of AWM interventions, and to bridge the inter-generational gap between the old research scientists and the young ones.
As a young scientist, what motivates me to do my research is working effectively to get the desired output and filling the knowledge gap, with a view of increasing food security and improving the livelihood resilience of rural farmers.
Comments on completion:
My time at IWMI was super. I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Tim Ellis, and it was an awesome experience working on Hydrology modelling. My work primarily, was centered on Agricultural Water Management in Northern Ghana. I worked on how to capture Run-off and use the captured water subsequently in supplemental and dry season irrigation. I have now developed a deep interest in Agricultural Water Management. I am currently working on “Biochar” as a means of improving the fertility of highly weathered tropical soil. I have therefore decided to look at the effect of biochar on other soil hydraulic properties (Moisture retention, hydraulic conductivity, aggregate friability etc), with the aim of studying how bicoahr can help conserve moisture and effectively manage water, especially during the dry season.
Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including 
The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities 
A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But 
Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support the