“Smart Fertilization Technology for Enhancing Fruit Tree Resilience to climate variabilities in Benin’s Agroforestry Systems: A Case Study on Cola nitida (Vent)”
Country of Study
Côte d’Ivoire
Institution
Felix Houphouet Boigny University
Expected Year of Completion
2026
Thematic Area
Climate Change, Natural Resources, Environment/ Agriculture
Education
Isabelle’s PhD thesis is in Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Agriculture. She holds an MSc in Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Agriculture from Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Côte d’Ivoire. Currently a specialist in monitoring, evaluation, and agro-ecological sustainability at the NGO Save Our Planet (Benin), she is in her third year of PhD studies at Félix Houphouët-Boigny University and is expected to complete her doctorate in 2026.
Research Summary
Isabelle’s research aims to develop an intelligent fertilization technology to improve the resilience of fruit trees, like Cola nitida, in agroforestry systems in Benin, particularly under heat and drought stress. Traditional fertilization methods are not optimized for the challenges posed by climate change, which impacts food security of smallholder farmers. The study tests the impact of biofertilizers and hydro-retentive materials on the temporal growth pattern of fruit trees and predicts the future growth pattern under various climate scenarios using machine learning algorithms. This research seeks to create a responsive and adaptive fertilization system that can improve tree productivity and resilience, offering a sustainable solution for agroforestry and potentially benefiting broader agricultural systems facing similar climate challenges in Africa.
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