Sani Mashi | Soil | Sustainable Soil Practices Award

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Prof. Dr. Sani Mashi | Soil | Sustainable Soil Practices Award

Prof. Dr. Sani Mashi, University of Abuja, Nigeria

Prof. Dr. Sani Abubakar Mashi is a distinguished environmental geographer and Professor of Biogeography at the University of Abuja, Nigeria. With extensive academic and administrative experience, he has served as Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization. His research focuses on environmental management, climate change adaptation, land degradation, and remote sensing applications. A prolific scholar and policy advisor, he has led numerous national and international research projects and currently chairs the Governing Board of the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service.

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Summary:

Prof. Dr. Sani Mashi’s career is a compelling embodiment of sustainable soil science in action. He merges academic rigor with applied research to address urgent soil degradation issues affecting livelihoods, food security, and environmental health. His multi-disciplinary approach, extensive mentorship record, and impactful leadership make him an exemplary candidate for recognition.

🎓 Education

Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi received his foundational education from Galadima Primary School and continued through Government Day and Government Secondary Schools in Katsina State. He earned his B.Sc. (Hons) in Geography from Bayero University, followed by an M.Sc. in Soil Geography from Ahmadu Bello University. He completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing and GIS from Bayero University. In addition, he holds a professional certificate in the Management of Higher Education Institutions from the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel.

đź’ĽExperience

Professor Mashi has had a distinguished academic and professional career. He began as a Geography teacher during his National Youth Service in Ondo State and advanced through academic ranks from Graduate Assistant to Professor of Biogeography at various Nigerian universities including Ahmadu Bello University, University of Abuja, and Umaru Musa Yar’adua University. He also held key administrative roles such as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Director of Academic Planning, and Head of Department. Notably, he served as the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization. Currently, he is a professor at the University of Abuja and serves as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service.

🔬Research Focus

His research is primarily centered on environmental applications of geographic science. He has led over 25 externally funded projects, focusing on soil and land use dynamics, vegetation change detection, climate services for farmers, ecological assessments, and community-based environmental management. His recent work includes evaluating climate adaptation strategies in drylands and promoting renewable energy through European Union-funded initiatives. He has extensively applied remote sensing and GIS tools to map and manage environmental degradation and land use change, especially in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions.

🛠️Skills

Professor Mashi is a multidisciplinary expert with core competencies in soil science, land degradation, environmental management, remote sensing, and GIS. His work reflects deep expertise in climate adaptation, geospatial analysis, land use planning, and ecosystem sustainability. He is skilled in leading research teams, managing academic programs, policy development, and institutional governance. His academic supervision spans numerous graduate theses and dissertations across environmental management, geography, and planning.

🏆Awards

Professor Mashi has earned national and institutional recognition for his contributions. He was appointed to key federal committees, including the one that developed Nigeria’s National Geoinformation Policy. He served in high-level advisory roles within the National Space Research and Development Agency and various state and federal institutions. His leadership at NiMet and the WMO raised Nigeria’s profile in meteorological science. He currently holds the presidency of the Association of Nigerian Geographers, highlighting his stature in the academic and professional geography community.

đź“š Publications


Title: Determinants of urban waste recycling among smallholder farmers in Katsina, Nigeria: Awareness, adoption, and valorization
Authors: Sani Abubakar Mashi, Amina Ibrahim Inkani, Elizabeth Dorsuu Jenkwe, Kabir Idris
Year: 2025
Journal: Cleaner Waste Systems


Title: Managing climate change risks in urban areas: determinants of climate change responses by informal settlement dwellers
Authors: Sani Abubakar Mashi, Amina Ibrahim Inkani, Elizabeth Dorsuu Jenkwe, Martins Momoh
Year: 2025
Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C


Title: Assessment of efficiency of IFAD-CASP weather and climate services delivery in Sokoto and Katsina states, Nigeria
Authors: Amina Ibrahim Inkani, Sani Abubakar Mashi, Obaro Dominic Oghenejabor, Safirat Sani
Year: 2025
Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C


Title: Enhancing environmental monitoring and assessment: evaluating soil quality changes using a parametric index in smallholder farming systems
Authors: Safirat Sani, Sani Abubakar Mashi, Clement Didi Chup, Elizabeth Dorsuu Jenkwe
Year: 2025
Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment


Title: Assessment of climate change knowledge of residents of informal sectors of Abuja Federal Capital City, Nigeria
Authors: Elizabeth Dorsuu Jenkwe, Sani Abubakar Mashi, Martins Momoh, Oghenjabor Dominic Obaro, Safirat Sani
Year: 2024
Journal: South African Geographical Journal


Title: Determinants of utilization of soil and water conservation practices by smallholder farmers in a dryland ecosystem in Nigeria
Authors: Elizabeth Doosuu Jenkwe, Amina Ibrahim Inkani, Sani Abubakar Mashi, Amina Murtala Abusufyan, Safirat Sani
Year: 2024
Journal: Preprint (Authorea)

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Sani Mashi stands out as an excellent nominee for the Research for Sustainable Soil Practices Award. His legacy of integrating scientific innovation with practical land stewardship exemplifies the spirit of sustainability. While greater international collaboration and enhanced global science communication could amplify his influence, his foundational contributions and proven commitment to sustainable soil management solidify his candidacy. This award would not only honor his work but also bring global attention to the critical issues he continues to address.

BARATHKUMAR | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Barathkumar | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Barathkumar, Adhiyamaan College of Agriculture and Research, India

Mr. Barathkumar S is an Assistant Professor in Soil Science at Adhiyamaan College of Agriculture and Research, India. He holds an M.Sc. (Ag.) in Soil Science from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and specializes in soil fertility, spatial soil mapping, and precision agriculture. His research focuses on soil quality assessment, geospatial analysis, and sustainable nutrient management. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and actively contributes to advancing soil health and sustainable farming practices through innovative teaching and applied research.

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Summary:

Mr. Barathkumar is a young, dynamic soil scientist whose research is rooted in real-world agricultural and environmental challenges. His scientific contributions span advanced spatial mapping, AI-integrated soil diagnostics, and environmental health—making his work highly relevant to modern agricultural sustainability and digital soil science.

🎓 Education

Barathkumar S holds a Master of Science in Agriculture with a specialization in Soil Science from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, completed in October 2024 with an impressive OGPA of 8.91 out of 10. He previously earned a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture from the College of Agricultural Technology, Theni, Tamil Nadu, in 2022, securing a CGPA of 7.55. His foundational education includes Higher Secondary School (HSC) and Secondary School (SSLC) education from Sri Vidya Mandir Matric Higher Secondary School in Krishnagiri, where he scored 1088 out of 1200 and 483 out of 500, respectively, demonstrating academic excellence throughout.

đź’ĽExperience

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Soil Science at Adhiyamaan College of Agriculture and Research, Hosur since November 2024, Barathkumar has developed and taught undergraduate courses in fundamentals of soil science, problematic soils, and remote sensing. He has guided innovative student projects and conducted institutional events such as Soil Day’25. His academic involvement is complemented by active participation in research, publishing numerous peer-reviewed research, review, and popular science articles on soil and water mapping, AI in agriculture, soil fertility, and sustainable farming.

🔬Research Focus

Barathkumar’s research focuses on soil chemistry, fertility, conservation, and precision agriculture. He has conducted field and laboratory studies on soil quality, including spatial soil assessments in industrial zones using ArcGIS and geostatistical models. His recent works include heavy metal contamination analysis, nutrient prediction using multivariate time-series models, and AI-driven soil nutrient diagnostics. He has also explored environmental impacts of industrial effluents, groundwater quality assessment, and the application of liquid biofertilizers and radioisotopes in sustainable agriculture. His broader research interests lie in carbon dynamics, agroecosystem resilience, and integrating AI with soil health strategies for improved crop productivity.

🛠️Skills

Barathkumar is proficient in ArcGIS Pro software, which he used to map the soil of the ACAR farm, and has expertise in geostatistical analysis, laboratory techniques, soil quality assessment, scientific research, and statistical analysis. His skillset extends to scientific writing, remote sensing applications, and innovative classroom instruction. He also demonstrates strong capabilities in time management and interdisciplinary collaboration.

🏆Awards

He has participated in prestigious programs including the India International Science Festival’s Young Scientists Conference, the European Astronomy Contest “Catch a Star,” and various astronomy observation events. Notable academic conferences include his participation in the 8th Agricultural Graduate Students Conference (AGSC 2023), themed around the globalization of agriculture, where he engaged with contemporary discussions on food, feed, and fuel.

đź“š Publications

  • Title: Advancements in Soil Quality Assessment: A Comprehensive Review of Machine Learning and AI-Driven Approaches for Nutrient Deficiency Analysis
    Authors: S. Barathkumar, K.M. Sellamuthu, K. Sathyabama, P. Malathi, et al.
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 56(2), 251–276

  • Title: Effects of Artificial Soil Fertility Gradient Strategy on the Soil Fertility, Nutrient Uptake and Growth Attributes of Chakravarthi Keerai (Chenopodium album)
    Authors: R. Arulmani, K.M. Sellamuthu, S. Maragatham, P. Malathi, R. Rajeswari, et al.
    Year: 2024
    Journal: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 36(12), 519–529

  • Title: A Geostatistical Study of Heavy Metal Contamination and Soil Quality in Industrial Areas of Erode and Namakkal
    Authors: S. Barathkumar, A. Chitra Devi
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 1–21

  • Title: Multivariate Time Series Models for Soil Nutrient and Yield Prediction in Site Specific Integrated Nutrient Management
    Authors: A. Chitra Devi, S. Maragatham, R. Santhi, S. Srivastava, P. Dey, et al.
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 1–19

  • Title: Groundwater Quality Assessment in Selected Polluted Hotspots of Tamil Nadu, India Using Geospatial and Statistical Approaches
    Authors: S. Barathkumar, K.M. Sellamuthu, K. Sathyabama, P. Malathi, et al.
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Desalination and Water Treatment, 322, 101047

Conclusion:

Mr. S. Barathkumar is highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His work demonstrates originality, relevance, and future promise. With continued support, he is well-positioned to become a leading researcher in soil science and precision agriculture both nationally and globally.