Vaddi Sridhar | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vaddi Sridhar| Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vaddi Sridhar, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, India.

Dr. Vaddi Sridhar is a Principal Scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru πŸ›οΈ. With a Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology πŸŽ“ from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, he specializes in eco-friendly pest management, integrated pest management (IPM), and insecticide resistance management (IRM) πŸͺ²πŸŒ±. His research contributions include climate change impact on pests, bioclimatic modeling, and sterile insect techniques (SIT) πŸ›°οΈ. A prolific author, editor, and innovator, he has led multiple national and international research collaborations, earning recognition for groundbreaking contributions in entomology πŸ†.

🌟 Professional Profile

πŸŽ“ Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Vaddi Sridhar embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in agricultural sciences. He completed his B.Sc. (Agriculture) in 1990 from Agricultural College, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Hyderabad, focusing on biochemistry, statistics, and agriculture-related subjects. His specialization in Agricultural Entomology began with his M.Sc. (1992) at the same institution and culminated in a Ph.D. (1996) from the prestigious Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. His academic focus has always been on eco-friendly pest management strategies, IPM, and climate change adaptation in entomology.

πŸ’Ό Professional Endeavors

With over 27 years of experience, Dr. Sridhar has served in various roles, beginning as a Scientist at the Central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Bhubaneswar (1997-2001), before progressing to Senior Scientist and eventually Principal Scientist at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore (2012-present). His work has focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) in horticultural crops, contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices

πŸ”¬ Contributions and Research Focus On AgriculturalΒ 

Dr. Sridhar has led numerous research projects aimed at eco-friendly pest management, including biocontrol strategies, the use of botanicals, and climate change adaptation in pest control. He pioneered the use of light traps for managing invasive pests such as the South American Tomato Moth (Tuta absoluta) and standardized Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for pest control. His research has influenced national policies on horticultural pest management and contributed to sustainable agricultural practices

🌍 Impact and Influence

His work in climate-resilient agriculture has been pivotal in addressing the impact of climate change on insect pests. As part of the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project, he applied bioclimatic modeling tools like CLIMEX to assess pest risks. His studies on insecticide resistance in polyhouse populations and the integration of synergists like neem oil in pest control strategies have had a lasting impact on sustainable pest management.

πŸ† Awards and Honors

Dr. Sridhar’s exceptional contributions have been recognized through multiple awards and accolades. His work in eco-friendly IPM technologies has earned him national and international recognition, reinforcing his status as a leader in agricultural research. His research findings have significantly improved horticultural crop protection strategies

πŸ“š Academic CitationsΒ 

Dr. Sridhar has an extensive publication record with numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals, SCI-indexed publications, and Scopus-listed journals. His Google Scholar citation index reflects his contribution to entomological research, showcasing his influence in the scientific community. He has also served as an Associate Editor for journals like Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystems and Journal of Agricultural Zoology.

πŸš€ Legacy and Future Contributions

With an unwavering commitment to sustainable agriculture, Dr. Sridhar continues to explore novel pest management strategies. His ongoing research includes real-time pest surveillance, climate impact assessments, and innovative biocontrol measures. Through national and international collaborations with institutions like ICRISAT, Virginia Tech, and BRNS, Mumbai, he is shaping the future of horticultural entomology. His legacy lies in developing eco-friendly pest management solutions that ensure agricultural sustainability for future generations.

πŸ“šPublications Top Notes

πŸ“Œ New record of the invasive South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta πŸͺ²

πŸ“– V Sridhar, AK Chakravarthy, R Asokan, LS Vinesh, KB Rebijith, S Vennila
πŸ“Š Citations: 170 | πŸ“… Year: 2014

πŸ“Œ Climate-Resilient Horticulture: Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies 🌿
πŸ“– HCP Singh, NKS Rao, KS Shivashankar
πŸ“Š Citations: 69 | πŸ“… Year: 2013

πŸ“Œ Low moisture stress influences plant volatile emissions affecting herbivore interactions in tomato πŸ…
πŸ“– KJ Pagadala Damodaram, HS Gadad, SK Parepally, S Vaddi, …
πŸ“Š Citations: 32 | πŸ“… Year: 2021

πŸ“Œ Seasonal incidence of South American tomato moth, Tuta absoluta, on tomato ecosystem πŸ¦‹
πŸ“– KS Nitin, V Sridhar, KP Kumar, AK Chakravarthy
πŸ“Š Citations: 25 | πŸ“… Year: 2017

πŸ“Œ Effect of Temperature and CO2 on Population Growth of Tuta absoluta 🌑️
πŸ“– N Kanle Satishchandra, S Vaddi, SO Naik, AK Chakravarthy, R Atlihan
πŸ“Š Citations: 24 | πŸ“… Year: 2018

πŸ“Œ Efficacy of new insecticides against Tuta absoluta πŸ§ͺ
πŸ“– V Sridhar, S Onkaranaik, KS Nitin
πŸ“Š Citations: 24 | πŸ“… Year: 2017

πŸ“Œ Comparative biology of Tuta absoluta on solanaceous host plants πŸͺ΄
πŸ“– V Sridhar, KS Nitin, O Naik, T Nagaraja
πŸ“Š Citations: 23 | πŸ“… Year: 2015

πŸ“Œ Using degree days & plant phenology to predict insect pest activity πŸ“ˆ
πŸ“– V Sridhar, PVR Reddy
πŸ“Š Citations: 21 | πŸ“… Year: 2013

πŸ“Œ Trichome and biochemical basis of resistance against Tuta absoluta in tomato 🏡️
πŸ“– V Sridhar, AT Sadashiva, VK Rao, P Swathi, HS Gadad
πŸ“Š Citations: 20 | πŸ“… Year: 2019

πŸ“Œ First report of Tuta absoluta from Madhya Pradesh, India πŸ—ΊοΈ
πŸ“– P Swathi, B Swathi, SB Das, V Sridhar, O Giribabu, G Snehalatha, …
πŸ“Š Citations: 20 | πŸ“… Year: 2017

πŸ“Œ Occurrence of Tuta absoluta in Punjab, India – Trap catches & molecular diagnosis 🧬
πŸ“– SK Sidhu, V Sridhar, A Sharma, R Asokan
πŸ“Š Citations: 16 | πŸ“… Year: 2017

πŸ“Œ Plant-pollinator interactions: Synchrony at risk due to climate change 🐝
πŸ“– PVR Reddy, A Verghese, V Sridhar, VV Rajan
πŸ“Š Citations: 15 | πŸ“… Year: 2013

πŸ“Œ Volatile chemical signals underlying host plant preferences of Tuta absoluta πŸ’¨
πŸ“– V Subramani, KJ Pagadala Damodaram, R Goravale Krishnegowda, …
πŸ“Š Citations: 14 | πŸ“… Year: 2021

πŸ“Œ Genetic research on Helicoverpa armigera using microsatellite markers πŸ§ͺ
πŸ“– T Venkatesan, V Sridhar, YR Tomason, SK Jalali, GT Behere, RM Shanthi, …
πŸ“Š Citations: 8 | πŸ“… Year: 2016

πŸ“Œ Resistance against Phthorimaea absoluta in wild tomato accessions πŸ…
πŸ“– P Ghosh, KS Jagadish, MG Purushothama, P Hanson, M Rakha, …
πŸ“Š Citations: 7 | πŸ“… Year: 2023

Wiseman Ndlovu | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wiseman Ndlovu | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wiseman Ndlovu, African Wildlife Economy Institute, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Dr. Wiseman Ndlovu is a seasoned academic and researcher in rural development and agricultural economics. He holds a PhD from the University of Venda and has extensive experience in project administration, data analytics, and business consulting. Dr. Ndlovu has led various research initiatives, mentored students, and contributed to impactful projects, demonstrating a commitment to knowledge advancement and capacity building.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS ID

ORCID ID

πŸŽ“Β Education

  • PhD in Rural Development/Agriculture Economics – University of Venda πŸŽ“
  • South African National Research Foundation – Doctoral Scholarship (2017-2020) πŸŽ“
  • EXAKT4YOU Hackathon Bar camp, Tanzania – 2020 🌍
  • Baden-WΓΌrttemberg STIPENDIUM, Germany – Doctoral Study (2019) πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ
  • EXAKT4YOU Innovation Workshop Award – Tanzania/Germany – 2018 πŸŒπŸ’‘
  • University of Venda Work-study Programme – Teaching and Tutoring (2015, 2017) πŸ“š
  • South African National Research Foundation (2014, 2016) πŸ…

πŸ”¬Research Contributions On Agriculture

Dr. Wiseman Ndlovu’s research contributions span rural development, agricultural economics, and business analytics. He has led high-impact projects, including wildlife value chain analysis and the commercialization of medicinal plants. His work bridges academia and industry, showcasing his expertise in data analytics, project coordination, and fostering innovation in economic and environmental development. His research continues to influence both sectors.

πŸ’ΌExperience

Dr. Wiseman Ndlovu has extensive experience in research, project coordination, and consultancy. He has worked as Programmes Director at the African Wildlife Economy Institute and held roles in Redpoint Consulting and Gold Class Group. His expertise includes business analytics, leadership coaching, and mentoring, with a focus on rural development, economic growth, and data-driven solutions.

Professional Roles:

  • Programmes Director: African Wildlife Economy Institute, Stellenbosch University (Jan 2023 – Present) 🦁
  • Associate Consultant: Redpoint Consulting Pty Ltd (Sept 2021 – Present) πŸ’Ό
  • Associate Consultant & Business Development Partner: Gold Class Group Pty Ltd (March 2018 – Present) πŸ“Š
  • Research Technical Expert: Innovation Champions for Local Economic Development Project (Feb 2020 – Dec 2020) πŸ“
  • Project Coordinator: Institute for Rural Development (Jul 2018 – Dec 2019) 🌱
  • Project Monitoring & Support: United Nations Development Programmes (Sept 2017 – Jul 2018) 🌍
  • Research Assistant: In on Africa Consulting Firm (Feb 2016 – May 2016) πŸ”
  • Research Assistant: Institute for Rural Development, University of Venda (May 2016 – Dec 2016) πŸ§‘β€πŸŽ“
  • Student Supervision: Over 6 years of supervising Honours, Masters, and PhD students πŸŽ“

πŸ…Awards and Recognition

  • South African National Research Foundation Doctoral Scholarship (2017-2020): Awarded for his exceptional academic performance and groundbreaking research in Rural Development and Agricultural Economics.
  • EXAKT4YOU Hackathon Bar Camp Award (2020): Honored for his innovative approach in business analytics and project management during the highly competitive Hackathon event in Tanzania.
  • Baden-WΓΌrttemberg STIPENDIUM, Germany (2019): Awarded the prestigious scholarship for his doctoral studies, facilitating academic exchange and research excellence.
  • EXAKT4YOU Innovation Workshop Award (2018): Recognized for his contributions to innovation and business development at the global workshop in Tanzania and Germany.

πŸ“šPublication Top Notes

“Opportunities and challenges in the commercialisation of medicinal plants used in village chicken health management”

Co-authors: Chidembo, R., Mwale, M., Obadire, O., Francis, J.

Published: 2023

Citations: 2

Journal: Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development πŸŒ±πŸ”

“Using a structural equation model to evaluate the roles of traditional institutions in rural agriculture success and sustainability”

Co-authors: Mwale, M., Zuwarimwe, J.

Published: 2022

Citations: 0

Journal: Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development 🌾🌍

“Challenges and critical success factors for rural agrarian reforms in Limpopo province, South Africa”

Co-authors: Mwale, M., Zuwarimwe, J.

Published: 2021

Citations: 2

Journal: Agraris πŸŒΎπŸ”‘

“Profiling village chickens, predators, parasites, and medicinal plants used to control the parasites”

Co-authors: Mwale, M., Iwara, I.O., Obadire, O.S., Francis, J.

Published: 2021

Citations: 4

Journal: Revista Brasileira de Ciencia Avicola / Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science πŸ”πŸŒΏ

“Organisational culture and turnover intentions among academics: a case of a rural-based university”

Co-authors: Mashile, D.A., Munyeka, W.

Published: 2021

Citations: 19

Journal: Studies in Higher Education πŸŽ“πŸ«

“Gender diversity, ethnic diversity and employee performance in a South African higher education institution”

Co-authors: Zhuwao, S., Ngirande, H., Setati, S.T.

Published: 2019

Citations: 24

Journal: SA Journal of Human Resource Management πŸ’ΌπŸ‘©β€πŸ«

“Exploring the role of students in the attainment of Africanisation and internationalisation in post-apartheid South Africa”

Co-authors: Iwara, I.O., Enaifoghe, A.O., Obadire, O.S., Maduku, H.

Published: 2018

Citations: 1

Journal: African Renaissance πŸŒπŸŽ“