Assessing the impact of water availability on crop yield in Ghana, Soil water hydrology and retention, and water use efficiency at International Fertilizer Development (IFDC)

Methodology

• This student will analyze observed soil physical data from the seasons 2020, 2021 and 2022 on soil water properties. The student will have to produce a clear methodology to understand what is happening in the field in order to elucidate the negative correlation observed between the amount of rainfall and the observed yield in relation to fertilizer applied. Using crop and soil models might be integral part of the methodology.The student will receive assistance and supervision from the FERARI team during the internship.

Output

• At the end of the research, the student shall produce a report to FERARI on this research and extract the most important findings in a policy brief. The student would also be assisted to produce a research article that can be published in a scientific journal for our wider international audience.

Qualification

• An MPhil/MSc student in agriculture, rural engineering, soil science or related studies. Applicant must have completed his/her course work and ready to start the research component. The student will use scientific knowledge as well as correlation and regression using available tools such as R, python, or Excel.