Educationist in Agroecology

Profile Statement.

I am interested in agri-food systems with expertise in agroecology and biodiversity conservation as an approach to developing sustainable agri-food systems that promote food security, environmental stewardship, and social equity. With a focus on continuous learning and innovations like regenerative agriculture prospects, I am committed to supporting organizations and foundations in embedding knowledge, and agricultural advancements into their programming and fundraising efforts. I specialize in developing and scaling up sustainable initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation through agricultural value chain development, organizational growth, and food systems. My strategic and innovative mindset allows me to connect and facilitate teams to align with the organization's strategic interests. I possess a deep understanding of long-term developments in agrifood systems and effectively connect these developments to biodiversity and natural ecosystem functions to strategic decisions and key processes within organizations for promoting and adoption of evidence-based agroecological farming and market system linkages for improving livelihoods. I am passionate about maximizing team potential and leveraging diverse perspectives to drive positive change for agroecology.

 

Objective:

Passionate Agroecologist with a commitment to sustainable farming practices and a strong background in agrifood systems. Seeking a challenging role to contribute expertise in agroecology, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture.

 

Education

1. PhD Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, Freie Universität Berlin and Haramaya University, Ethiopia.

Specialization: Smallholder Agriculture Systems and agroecological practices for improved water use efficiency and crop productivity.

2. Post Masters Diploma

Specialization: Climate change adaptation in crops, University of Reading, UK & University of Dar es Salaam collaboration under Africa Academy of Sciences (CIRCLE fellow).

3. Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

Specialization: Climate change Adaptation and resilience in food systems

4. Bachelor's degree in Community Education and rural agriculture for transformation, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

Professional Experience (Slow Food International, Makerere University, COL-L3F, and CGIAR centers)

a) Conducting field studies on the impact of agroecological practices on soil health and crop yield.

b) Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to develop sustainable farming models.

c) Analyzing data and preparing reports for publication.

d) Conducted environmental impact assessments for various agricultural practices.

e) Contributed to the development of eco-friendly packaging solutions.

f) Assisted in implementing sustainable value chain initiatives.

Publications

1. Zizinga, A., Mwanjalolo, J.-G.M., Tietjen, B., Bedadi, B., Pathak, H., Gabiri, G., Beesigamukama, D., 2022. Climate change and maize productivity in Uganda: Simulating the impacts and alleviation with climate smart agriculture practices. Agric. Syst. 199, 103407. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGSY.2022.103407   

2. Zizinga, A.; Mwanjalolo, J.G.M; Tietjen, B.; Bedadi, B.; Gabiri, G.; Luswata, K.C. Effect of Mulching and Permanent Planting Basin Dimensions on Maize (Zea mays L.) Production in a Sub-Humid Climate. Water 2022, 14, 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14010079 

3. Zizinga, A.; Mwanjalolo, J.G.M.; Tietjen, B.; Bedadi, B.; Amaro de Sales, R.; Beesigamukama, D. Simulating Maize Productivity under Selected Climate Smart Agriculture Practices Using AquaCrop Model in a Sub-humid Environment. Sustainability 2022, 14, 2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042036 

 4. Zizinga, A., Mwanjalolo, J. G. M., Tietjen, B., Bedadi, B., Gabiri, G., & Luswata, C. K. Impacts of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices on Soil Water Conservation and Maize Productivity in Rainfed Cropping Systems of Uganda. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 201. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.889830  

5. Amoako, E. E., Misana, S., Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G., Zizinga, A., & Ballu Duwiejuah, A. (2018). Effect of the seasonal burning on tree species in the Guinea savanna woodland, Ghana: Implications for climate change mitigation. Appl. Ecol. Environ. Res, 16, 1935-1949. https://dx.doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1602_19351949  

6. Zizinga, A., Mwanjalolo, JG.M., Tietjen, B. et al. Maize yield under a changing climate in Uganda: long-term impacts for climate-smart

agriculture. Reg Environ Change 24, 34 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-024-02186-8.

inga, A., Kangalawe, R. Y., Ainslie, A., Tenywa, M. M., Majaliwa, J., Saronga, N. J., & Amoako, E. E. (2017). Analysis of Farmer’s Choices for Climate Change Adaptation Practices in South-Western Uganda, 1980–2009. Climate, 5(4), 89. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli5040089  

8. Saronga, N. J., Mosha, I. H., Kessy, A. T., Ezekiel, M. J., Zizinga, A., Kweka, O., & Kovats, S. (2016). “I eat two meals per day” impact of climate variability on eating habits among households in Rufiji district, Tanzania: a qualitative study. Agriculture & food security, 5(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-016-0064-6  

9. Zizinga, A., M. M. Tenywa, J. G. M. Majaliwa, M. Mugarura, P. Ababo, A. Achom, G. Gabiri, Y. Bamutaze, L. Kizza and E. Adipala (2015). Potential Climate Change Adaptation and Coping Practices for Agricultural Productivity in the Mountain Areas of South Western Uganda, Journal of Scientific Research & Reports 7(1): 23-41, 2015; Article no.JSRR.2015.184, ISSN: 2320-0227. 

10. Gabiri, G., Obando, J. A., Tenywa, M. M., Majaliwa, J. G., Kizza, C. L., Zizinga, A., & Buruchara, R. (2015). Soil and nutrient losses under cultivated bush and climbing beans on terraced humid highland slopes of South Western Uganda. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 8(3), 1-16. 

11. Majaliwa, J. G. M., Ratemo, S., Zizinga, A., Mugarura, M., Wafula, S. D., Tunywane, I., & Kaahwa, R. (2015). Suitability of major agricultural land uses around Kibale National Park. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 10(36), 3582-3589. 

12. Kaliisa, R., Zizinga, A., Balasubramanian, K., Kasule, R., Lukenge, J. and Tenywa, M.M. (2012). Community banks: A chance for agri-based African rural communities, International Journal-Rural 21-Berlin. 

13. Zizinga, A., CCAFS Blog (Social Learning for climate smart agriculture and Integrated watershed management) 2014. 

BOOK CHAPTERS;

1. Kizza, C. L., Majaliwa, J. G. M., Kunihira, R., Gabiri, G., Zizinga, A., Sebuliba, E., & Tenywa, M. M. (2016). Soil and Nutrient Losses and the Role of Gender in Land Degradation in South Western Uganda. In Climate Change and Multi-Dimensional Sustainability in African Agriculture (pp. 185-200). Springer, Cham. 

2. Gerd Foerch, Moses Tenywa, and Alex Zizinga (Makerere University, Uganda); Cush Luwesi (Kenyatta University, Kenya); Abebe Mekuriaw (Ethiopian Academy of Sciences); Omar Munyaneza (University of Rwanda); and Nele Foerch (German International Cooperation, Kenya), Integrated Water Resources Management in Eastern Africa, "Coping with complex hydrology".

 

 

Referees

Available on request