Latest news

Masunungure Premrose

MasunungurePremrose — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:23:37 +0200

Masunungure Premrose

Professionnal title : Researcher

Scientific fields : Climate-Smart Agriculture Agricultural Systems climate change soil science

Main affiliation : University of Zimbabwe

3525 Crowhill Views, Harare 0000 Harare

+263 775 960 797

An agronomist who is passionate about promoting sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate climate change and increase carbon storage in soils

Presentation

I am a Master’s graduate whose research interests revolve around agronomy, integrated soil fertility management, climate change mitigation, and sustainable farming systems. My work focuses on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon and nitrogen dynamics in agricultural soils to identify practices that enhance soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through collaborative research and farmer engagement, my long-term goal is to bridge scientific research with farmer-driven solutions that support food security and environmental sustainability.

What I can bring to this network ?

I will provide expertise in agronomy and sustainable farming systems, with a focus on integrated soil fertility management and climate change mitigation. My research on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in agricultural soils contributes to understanding how farming practices can enhance soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I am committed to sharing insights from my fieldwork experience and farmer engagement. I also value collaboration and knowledge exchange, and I am eager to contribute to collective initiatives that strengthen systemic approaches to sustainable agriculture.

What I seek in this network ?

Through CopSyS, I seek opportunities to collaborate with international researchers and academics. I am interested in engaging with thematic working groups and learning from diverse perspectives. By joining this community, I hope to expand my professional network, strengthen my research foundations, and contribute to innovative solutions that address challenges in agriculture and the environment. I am also seeking PhD opportunities to further develop my research career in sustainable agriculture.

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Dias Fernando

DiasFernando — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 23:41:07 +0200

Dias Fernando

Professionnal title : Researcher

PhD

Scientific fields : Climate-Smart Agriculture Agricultural Systems Modelling

Main affiliation : Embrapa

+55-67-9-9129-9204

https://www.embrapa.br/equipe/-/empregado/360666/fernando-rodrigues-teixeira-dias

Researcher at Embrapa

Presentation

I am researcher on agroecosystem modelling and simulation at Embrapa, working for the Pantanal region.

What I can bring to this network ?

My experience on Pantanal ecosystems and livestock production systems.

What I seek in this network ?

To learn about MAELAB and other services from CopSys.

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Desta Gizaw

DestaGizaw — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 22:28:48 +0200

Desta Gizaw

Main affiliation : ICRISAT

Yeka Sub City, WOREDA 01 Addis Ababa

0912860328

A am interested in landscape system science that integrate multiple functions of soil, water, plant, animal, microbes for optimized land uses, agriculture systems, ecosystem services, and biodiversity se

Presentation

Gizaw Desta has over 25 years of experience in agriculture. He worked on systems-based farm to landscape management innovations, including 1) Plant nutrient management: site-specific nutrient management applications and decision support tools, nutrient use under cereal legume cropping systems, nutrient ommissions, agrofortification for micronutrients, water productivity; 2) Soil health: soil acidity diagnosis and management practices, diagnosis on legume intensifications, soil health assessment frameworks, scaling of agroecological practices; 3) Moisture stress and drought management: flood hotspot analysis and flood-based farming for drought management, tools for integrated and resilience system innovations, and land restoration; 4) Codevelopment and scaling tools: resilience, adaptation and transformation frameworks for prioritization and system analysis; scenario planning; visioning; innovation system analysis; scaling readiness; and innovation scaling networks.

What I can bring to this network ?

Share my experiences in tropical systems and farmer-engaged co-learning approaches

What I seek in this network ?

Crate network

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Mahmud Aliyu

MahmudAliyu — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:21:59 +0200

Mahmud Aliyu

Professionnal title : PhD candidate

Scientific fields : System Agronomy

Main affiliation : Wageningen University & Research

+31645855459/+2348060488306

A famer and a researcher coming from a rural farming community in Nigeria

Presentation

A young researcher with a focus to make farming more profitable to smallholder farmers through mixed crop-livestock integration

What I can bring to this network ?

Share findings of my research and contribute to research projects within my expertise

What I seek in this network ?

Establish networking with international researchers and collaborate on scientific projects

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

van Oosten cora

VanOostenCora — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:04:30 +0200

van Oosten cora

Professionnal title : Doctor

Director Capacity Development and Education

Scientific fields : Food Systems Landscape analysis climate change policy analysis project management

Main affiliation : CIFOR-ICRAF

Jalan CIFOR Raya, Bogor Barat, Kota Bogor Bogor

+31638075377

https://www.cifor-icraf.org/staff/cora-van-oosten/

Landscapes, governance, and capacity development is what characterizes me most...

Presentation

As a geographer, I have worked across the globe as a practitioner, project manager, and scientist on farming systems, multifunctional landscapes, governance, and capacity development. Four domains that are indispensable parts of the same system, and should therefore work hand in hand.

What I can bring to this network ?

Happy to share my experience and learn from others on how to work in complex adaptive systems, in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner.

What I seek in this network ?

Knowledge, experience, and practical examples of systems thinking and inter- and transdisciplinary approaches

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Andersson Jens

AnderssonJens — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:38:17 +0200

Andersson Jens

Professionnal title : Researcher

Social anthropology, Agronomy, Development studies

Main affiliation : Plant Production Systems group

P.O. Box 430 6700 AK Wageningen

https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/drir-ja-jens-andersson

Interdisciplinary scientist, bridging social science and agronomy

Presentation

Trained as a social scientist, Jens’ research bridges the fields of agronomy and social anthropology, focusing on smallholder farming systems, rural livelihoods, and agricultural development in the Global South (mostly southern and east Africa). Topics of particular interest include socio-technological change (technology interventions, farmer adoption and impact, social inequality), natural resource management, digital advisory tools, farming practices and labour, legume-based agricultural intensification, and the role of agricultural research in the development of smallholder agriculture.

What I can bring to this network ?

Expertise in (smallholder) farming systems research, qualitative research methods (ethnography, observation)

What I seek in this network ?

interdisciplinary collaboration

Group's Members

CopSyS

Workshop presentation shared

View entry

wangchuk Tenzin

WangchukTenzin — Fri, 29 May 2026 06:45:49 +0200

wangchuk Tenzin

Professionnal title : Lecturer

Scientific fields : Climate-Smart Agriculture Agronomy

Main affiliation : college of natural resources, Royal University of Bhutan

17806138

Forever LEARNER

Presentation

I am an associate Lecturer, teaching under Department of Agriculture at College of Natural Resources (CNR), RUB. I graduated with a master’s degree in plant science (Specialization Crop Science). My field of interest are Agricultural statistics, Crop production, System analysis and, Climate and crop relation.

What I can bring to this network ?

Discussion, reflection and data contribution

What I seek in this network ?

Learn, practice and keep updated in the field of system analysis

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Strauss Johann

StraussJohann — Wed, 27 May 2026 18:14:26 +0200

Strauss Johann

Professionnal title : Professor

Agronomy

Main affiliation : Western Cape Dept of Agriculture

Secondary affiliation : Stellenbosch University

Private Bag X1 7607 Stellenbosch

0829073109

Systems research based on CA

Presentation

I am living my passion for sustainable cropping tesearch

What I can bring to this network ?

18 year experience in running long term trials based on systems approaches

What I seek in this network ?

Connecting with other systems researchers

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

sakha michael

SakhaMichael — Sun, 24 May 2026 09:18:11 +0200

sakha michael

Professionnal title : Lecturer

Researcher

Main affiliation : Kenyatta University

Kenyatta University P.O. Box 43844 00100 Nairobi

+254710938959

Cultivating sustainable futures, one season at a time

Presentation

My name is Michael Sakha, and I am an agronomist with an interest in soil microbiomes and their role in sustainable crop production, nutrient cycling, and soil health improvement.

What I can bring to this network ?

I bring an agronomic perspective grounded in sustainable agriculture, with a strong interest in soil microbiomes, nutrient use efficiency, and improving crop productivity. I look forward to contributing to knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and practical solutions that connect science with agricultural impact

What I seek in this network ?

I seek to connect with researchers and practitioners working on soil microbiomes, especially mycorrhizae, to exchange knowledge, explore collaborations, and deepen my understanding of their role in nutrient use efficiency, soil health, and sustainable crop production

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Cagiran Seyhan Sevde

CagiranSeyhanSevde — Thu, 07 May 2026 10:36:54 +0200

Cagiran Seyhan Sevde

Professionnal title : PhD candidate

Main affiliation : CIHEAM-IAMM, UMR MoISA, Montpellier F-34093, France

Secondary affiliation : MoISA, Univ Montpellier, CIHEAM-IAMM, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France

CIHEAM IAMM 3191 route de Mende 34090 Montpellier

0634389113

I am a PhD candidate exploring transdisciplinary and systems thinking approaches to support agroecological transitions in North Africa

Presentation

I am a PhD student and research engineer working within the NATAE project at CIHEAM Montpellier. My research focuses on farmers' transitions to agroecology in North Africa, using participatory bioeconomic modeling combined with a social-ecological systems (SES) framework to analyze the complex structure of agricultural systems and identify key leverage points for agroecological transition.

What I can bring to this network ?

My work combines bioeconomic modeling, participatory modeling, and social-ecological systems frameworks applied to real farming contexts in North Africa. I also draw on transdisciplinary and participatory research approaches to engage with farmers and stakeholders in understanding barriers and opportunities for agroecological transition.

What I seek in this network ?

I am eager to connect with researchers who share similar interests in agricultural transitions, systems thinking, and agroecology. Through this network, I hope to exchange methodological experiences and broaden my perspective through interactions with people working on related questions across different contexts.

Group's Members

CopSyS

Workshop presentation shared

Enhancing the resilience of north african farming systems through agroecology: a bio economic modeling approach

View entry

Ortiz Oscar

OrtizOscar — Tue, 05 May 2026 16:49:51 +0200

Ortiz Oscar

Professionnal title : Doctor

Scientific fields : Agronomy

Main affiliation : CGIAR System Organization

Secondary affiliation : Visiting Lecturer, National Agrarian University of Peru

C. los Nogales 123 15803 Lima

+51945144234

https://www.cgiar.org/cgiar-research-portfolio-2025-2030/sustainable-farming

Think systemically, act concretely

Presentation

Currently Director of the Sustainable Farming Science Program of CGIAR, which hosts system-related research aimed at developing integrated farm management solutions in low- and middle-income countries

What I can bring to this network ?

Experience in system-related research over more than twenty years in the CGIAR

What I seek in this network ?

Learn from current system-related approaches

Group's Members

CopSyS

Workshop presentation shared

Systemsscience for the transition to sustainableagri-foodsystems The CoPSyScommunity of practice

View entry

de Vries Anouk

DeVriesAnouk — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:38:29 +0200

de Vries Anouk

Professionnal title : Other

Partnerships Specialist

Main affiliation : FAO

Interested in how working in a systemic way can support agrifood systems transformation

Presentation

I work at the agrifood systems and food safety division (ESF) at FAO, where we promote the adoption of a systems approach for agrifood systems transformation. Areas in which I am particularly interested are monitoring of systems change and policy coherence.

What I can bring to this network ?

FAO's work on adopting a systems approach, and our developing thinking and work on monitoring systems change.

What I seek in this network ?

I'm interested to learn more from the experience of colleagues that work to integrate a systems approach in country-level work.

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Espin Océane

EspinOceane — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:18:49 +0200

Espin Océane

Professionnal title : Engineer

Scientific fields : Agricultural Systems Food Systems climate change

Main affiliation : INRAE

147 rue de l'Université 75007 Paris

https://eng-depe.hub.inrae.fr/

Research engineer committed to agri-food systems transformation

Presentation

I am a research engineer with a background in agronomy and complex systems approaches, working at the science–policy interface, mainly at the European level.
My work focuses on the sustainability of agri-food systems and their transformation over time and across different scales, notably considering ecological, social, and technical dimensions. I have worked on topics such as the climate–food nexus, climate change adaptation in agriculture and coastal areas, livestock system transitions, and reducing the use of chemical pesticides.
Currently, I focus on applying foresight approaches to explore pathways toward more sustainable systems and the trajectories needed to achieve them.
Convinced that meaningful transformation requires thinking and acting within complexity, I am also actively involved in a French association of pioneering farmers in conservation organic agriculture.

What I can bring to this network ?

Together with Lise Paresys, we can connect the community with our colleagues, activities and analyses at INRAE’s Directorate for Expertise, Foresight and Advanced Studies (DEPE) in France.

What I seek in this network ?

Looking to join a collective dynamic and a peer-to-peer space dedicated to systemic approaches. Particular interest in sharing transdisciplinary tools and methods, gaining inspiration from emerging frameworks and new ways of thinking, and exchanging case studies and practical experiences in a spirit of continuous learning.
Aiming to deepen and consolidate key aspects of systems thinking, including how to navigate uncertainty, integrate diverse forms of knowledge, and strengthen engagement and dialogue with society and policymakers.

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Pawar Rohit

PawarRohit — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:19:23 +0200

Pawar Rohit

Professionnal title : PhD candidate

Scientific fields : Agricultural Marketing Rural Livelihoods System Agronomy

Main affiliation : Wageningen University

PhD candidate integrating agronomy, economics, and marketing from field to regional scale.

Presentation

Rohit Pawar is a PhD candidate at the Plant Production Systems chair group at Wageningen University, the Netherlands. His research focuses on co-designing pathways for sustainable intensification and improved market coordination in Tanzania’s soybean value chain. He conducts participatory on-farm experiments, farm surveys, and stakeholder interviews, and organise stakeholder workshops to disseminate findings and co-design options with key actors.

Previously, after completing his MSc at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), he worked as a Junior Researcher at Plant Production Systems (PPS), contributing to three projects. Within the Excellence in Agronomy Initiative (CGIAR), he developed a workflow for farm typology using mixed data sources. In the FoSTA-One Health project, he conducted a systematic review of legume integration experiments in Malawi and later supported the design and monitoring of agronomic trials. Building on his MSc thesis work, he also contributed to the Sustainable Soybean Production in Northern Ghana (SSPiNG) project, where he analysed the effects of the fertiliser crisis on the maize-dominant farming system and the role soybean plays amid the increased smallholder adoption of Northern Ghana.

What I can bring to this network ?

Enthusiasm in closing the gaps between disciplines

What I seek in this network ?

Learning and collaboration, especially with people from different disciplines and backgrounds.

Group's Members

CopSyS

Workshop presentation shared

Digital advisory for African smallholder farming systems: Towards design principles

View entry

Paresys Lise

ParesysLise — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:29:41 +0200

Paresys Lise

Professionnal title : Engineer

Scientific fields : Agronomy

Main affiliation : INRAE

https://eng-depe.hub.inrae.fr/

My interests and experiences are diverse but share a focus on systems approaches to promoting sustainable agriculture in an international setting.

Presentation

Systems agronomist for the development of tropical and Mediterranean regions by training, I have worked at different spatial and temporal scales, with various private and public organisations, in Western and Central Africa, and Europe.

My research has focused on analysing resource use at farm, cropping system and field levels, drawing on farmers' knowledge to identify low-input alternatives that improve labour productivity and livelihoods of farm families.

Subsequenltly, working on topics such as crop diversification, pesticide-free agriculture and the sustainability of plastics sparked my interest in value chains, and agri-food and socio-technical systems.

I am now engaged at the science-policy interface, coordinating multidisciplinary and critical analyses of academic knowledge requested by government authorities on complex issues related to agriculture, food and the environment (we refer to these analyses as Collective scientific assessments, or CSAs for short).

What I can bring to this network ?

Together with Océane Espin, we can connect the community with our colleagues, activities and analyses at INRAE’s Directorate for Expertise, Foresight and Advanced Studies (DEPE) in France.

What I seek in this network ?

Collaboration, knowledge exchange, reflexivity.
Discussions around methods, their applicabiliy and development to the implementation of CSAs (problem formulation with actors and scientific experts, system(s) definition, critical analysis of the literature by crossing disciplinary perspectives, synthesis of knowldedge and conclusion with key messages for policymakers and wider society).

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

METRAL Raphaël

MetralRaphael — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:53:37 +0200

METRAL Raphaël

Professionnal title : Engineer

Scientific fields : Agroecology System Agronomy interdisciplinary research

Main affiliation : Institut Agro Montpellier

Secondary affiliation : UMR ABsys

2 place Pierre Viala 34000 Montpellier

0652798782

https://www.institut-agro-montpellier.fr/

An agronomist committed to the agroecological transition

Presentation

I am an agronomist. Currently, at Institut Agro Montpellier, I serve as a project manager in viticultural agrosystem engineering, with responsibilities in research, experimentation, and pedagogical support for training programs.
I am affiliated with the joint research unit ABSys (Diversified Agrosystems), which focuses on the design, functioning, and performance of diversified, multispecies cropping systems based on perennial plants in southern regions, particularly in Mediterranean and tropical zones.
My research activities center on the diversification of agrosystems, organized around three main themes: (1) Designing innovative, low-input, diversified viticultural systems (e.g., agroforestry), (2) Experimenting with these systems, (3) Evaluating their performance and the ecosystem services they provide.

What I can bring to this network ?

Methods, approaches and discussion on farming system design on perenials crops (grapevine) and multicriteria assessment.

What I seek in this network ?

Scientific exchanges on system approach (especially on perenial crops)

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

LE RAY Pierre

Pierre Le Ray — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:48:02 +0200

LE RAY Pierre

Professionnal title : Engineer

Trainer

Scientific fields : System Agronomy

Main affiliation : Institut Agro Montpellier

1101 Avenue Agropolis 34090 Montpellier

+33 4 67 61 70 21

https://www.institut-agro-montpellier.fr/international/le-service-defis

Understand before taking action

Presentation

Tropical agronomist, I've been leading agrarian diagnoses for the last 20 years in various contexts, under different modalities (direct implementation, training of trainers, training of students, trainee supervision). More recently, I 've been trying to switch from agrarian to food systems focus - and from diagnosis to systemic assesment.

What I can bring to this network ?

Fields camp; practical training experiences, methodology, tools.

What I seek in this network ?

Exchanges with peers

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Franke Linus

FrankeLinus — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:40:31 +0100

Franke Linus

Professionnal title : Professor

Main affiliation : University of the Free State

Bloemfontein Campus, Nelson Mandela Avenue 9301 Bloemfontein

+27768894825

https://www.ufs.ac.za

A versatile agriculturist

Presentation

Throughout my career I have worked on diverse topics related to crop production, food security, climate change, and sustainability. Linking detailed crop production research to wider questions regarding sustainability, rural development pathways, and societal issues is a key strength of mine. This is underpinned by the diverse and impact-full publications arising from my research. I enjoy interdisciplinary research and reckon this adds to the impact of research in policy and society.

What I can bring to this network ?

Extensive experience with research in farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa, working with both small-scale and large-scale commercial farmers. An extensive network of African universities working the field of agriculture.

What I seek in this network ?

New collaborations, new research initiatives

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

van Bruggen Jannike

VanBruggenJannike — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:51:34 +0100

van Bruggen Jannike

Professionnal title : Researcher

Scientific fields : climate change resilience smallholder farming spatial analyses water management

Main affiliation : Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences

Marie-Curie-Str. 1 47533 Kleve

00492821806739823

Systems-oriented researcher - current focus on smallholder resilience, water management, agroforestry

Presentation

Jannike van Bruggen is a researcher at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. She holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and Transnational Water Management and completed her PhD in the field of farming systems research looking at food security and climate adaptation of smallholders in Uganda. She studies how climate change, water management, and socio-economic factors affect farming systems and smallholder farmers’ ability to adapt to climate change. She currently coordinates the SUFACHAIN project on developing sustainable agroforestry systems and value chains for fruit and nut production in Central Asia.

What I can bring to this network ?

experience with household surveys, spatial data analysis, farming systems approaches, integration of socio-economic and environmental data, background in water management with focus on irrigated smallholder systems, work experience in SSA, Central Asia, Southeastern Europe

What I seek in this network ?

exchange of best practices and ideas, jointly enhancing systems research, joint research efforts

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry

Giller Ken

GillerKen — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:49:54 +0100

Giller Ken

Professionnal title : Professor

Farming Systems

Main affiliation : Wageningen University & Research

+31613980588

Legume lover

Presentation

Ken’s research has focused on smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa, specialising in soil fertility, the role of nitrogen fixation by legumes, and the temporal and spatial dynamics of resources within crop/livestock farming systems. He is co-editor of “Pathways to African Food Security: Challenges, Threats and Opportunities Towards 2050” published in 2025 and sole author of “Nitrogen Fixation in Tropical Cropping Systems”. Ken Giller was recognised as the Tropical Agriculture Association International “Development Agriculturalist of the Year” in 2024. He is an Editor for the journal Global Food Security. Ken has been on the Web of Science list of Highly Cited Researchers (top 1%) since 2016. He has led a number of initiatives, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded “N2Africa - Putting Nitrogen Fixation to Work for Smallholder Farmers in Africa - http://www.n2africa.org/” which worked in 11 countries over ten years from 2009-2019. He has supervised over 100 PhDs successfully – more than half from African countries. Ken was Chair of Plant Production Systems from 2001 until he (officially) retired in 2023. He was earlier Professor of Tropical Soil Fertility at Wye College, University of London, and Professor of Soil Science at the University of Zimbabwe.

What I can bring to this network ?

A passion for addressing the problems of smallholder farming in the tropics

What I seek in this network ?

To learn!

Group's Members

CopSyS

View entry