San Nyunt Nan | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

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Ms. San Nyunt Nan | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

National Taiwan University | Taiwan

Nan San Nyunt is an agricultural professional from a farming community with a strong focus on climate-smart agriculture, crop modeling, and sustainable farming practices. She earned her M.Sc. in Global Agriculture Technology and Genomic Science from National Taiwan University, where she conducted research on climate change risk assessment and adaptation strategies for potato production in Myanmar using the DSSAT model. Her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from Yezin Agricultural University involved experimental work on controlling root-knot nematodes in tomato crops. Nan has extensive experience working with NGOs and international organizations, leading farmer-centered initiatives, capacity-building programs, and agricultural innovation projects. She co-founded Taungthutada (TTTD), managing projects aimed at food security, women’s empowerment in agribusiness, and improving access to innovative agricultural services. Her roles include research assistant and teaching assistant at National Taiwan University, where she focuses on crop modeling, crop rotation simulations, and research manuscript preparation. She has presented her work at international conferences and published research on the impacts of climate change on potato production. Nan’s interests include crop modeling, agronomic research, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable agricultural value chains. She has been recognized with the NTU-SEARCA Joint Scholarship for her academic and research excellence. Nan continues to bridge research and practice to advance climate-resilient agriculture.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publication

Mehdi Minbashi Moeini | Weed Science | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Mehdi Minbashi Moeini | Weed Science | Best Researcher Award

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection | Iran

Prof. Mehdi Minbashi Moeini is a leading weed scientist and agronomist whose academic career is built on a B.Sc. in Agronomy & Plant Breeding from Shiraz University, an M.Sc. in Agronomy from Isfahan University of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Weed Science from the University of Tehran, where he focused on pioneering GIS applications for weed management in wheat and canola crops. With over two decades of service at the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP), he has advanced from Research Instructor to Research Professor, while holding key leadership roles including Deputy for Research & Technology, Secretary of the Agronomy Taskforce at AREEO, and Head of the Weed Research Department. His scholarly contributions include 10 documented publications, which have achieved 83 citations with an h-index of 5, underlining his scientific impact in the field. His research interests span weed biology, integrated weed management, herbicide physiology, parasitic weeds such as broomrape, and precision agriculture using GIS and remote sensing. He is also the author of notable scientific books including “Biology and Management of Water Hyacinth” and “Sunflower Plant Protection Handbook.” His work supports innovation in sustainable weed control and strengthens global agricultural productivity.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Moeini, M. M., Haghighi, A., Kootiani, M. S., & Samadani, B. (2023). Evaluation of Bentazon + Dichlorprop for control of noxious broadleaf weeds in wheat fields of Iran. Gesunde Pflanzen.

Moeini, M. M., Mamnoie, E., Karaminejad, M. R., Aliverdi, A., & Moeini, M. M. (2022). Application efficacy of newly released pre-mixed herbicide in winter wheat: Joystick®. Journal of Agricultural Science, Estonian Academic Agricultural Society.

Veisi, M., Moeini, M. M., Jahedi, A., Mansoori, M. S., & Sabeti, P. (2022). Weed control efficacy: Response of chickpea to pre- and post-emergence herbicides. Gesunde Pflanzen.

Moeini, M. M., Hadizadeh, M. H., Karaminejad, M. R., Zangeneh, H. S., Jamali, M., & Haghighi, A. A. (2022). Efficacy of fluroxypyr compared with common broadleaf herbicides in the wheat fields. Journal of Iranian Plant Protection Research.

Moeini, M. M. (2021). Germination biology and phenological development stages of false jagged-chickweed (Lepyrodiclis holosteoides). Journal of Plant Protection Research.

Utpol Kumar | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Utpol Kumar | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Soil Resource Development Institute | Bangladesh

Dr. Utpol Kumar is a soil scientist with a PhD in Soil Science (Bangladesh Agricultural University, 2022), and earlier MSc (Horticulture, BAU, 2001) and BSc Agriculture (BAU, 1996). He has ~19 years of professional experience with the Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), Bangladesh, in roles spanning field-based soil survey & mapping, soil fertility monitoring, fertilizer & soil health card preparation, quality control of fertilizers, and extension/training work for sustainable agriculture. His research interest centers on sustainable and conservation agriculture (including residue retention), integrated nutrient management, soil classification and soil health, land and resource use mapping, and the influence of climatic change on soil fertility. He has authored over 10 international and 6 national peer-reviewed journal articles (among many other publications such as books, bulletins, proceedings), with a current h-index of 4, total citations of 47, and peer-review article count of 6. Awards include selected international trainings (e.g. “Writing for impact” at Murdoch University, agricultural project management in India) and successful projects in food security & soil component work. In conclusion, Dr. Kumar’s work contributes substantially to understanding and improving soil health and sustainable agricultural productivity in the South Asian tropics; his combination of field, laboratory, training and publication work positions him as a capable researcher-practitioner impacting both policy and farmer practice.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Maniruzzaman, M., Cheng, M., Eiti Mony, A. M., Islam, M. A., Kumar, U., Islam, M. J., Nasreen, S. S., Akhter, S., Jahiruddin, M., & Bell, R. W. (2025). Conservation agriculture increases system yield and improves phosphorus balance in rice-based intensive cropping systems. Soil Use and Management.

Kumar, U., Cheng, M., Islam, M. J., Maniruzzaman, M., Nasreen, S. S., Haque, M. E., Akhter, S., Jahiruddin, M., Bell, R. W., & Jahangir, M. M. R. (2025). Are recommended fertilizer rates able to maintain nutrient balance in soil and optimize crop profit in intensive rice-based crop rotations: Evidence from a 20-year study. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.

Kumar, U. (2025, January 2). Are recommended fertilizer rates able to maintain nutrient status and balance in soil and optimize crop profit in intensive rice-based crop rotations: Evidence from a 20-year study [Conference abstract]. In Global Symposium on Soil Information and Data: Measure, Monitor, Manage.

Maniruzzaman, M., Cheng, M., Islam, A., Kumar, U., Islam, J., Nasreen, S. S., Haque, E., Akhter, S., Jahiruddin, M., & Bell, R. (2024). Conservation agriculture increases phosphorus pools and stock in the top 30 cm of soil: A three-year study on a subtropical legume–rice rotation. Soil Use and Management.

Kumar, U., Cheng, M., Islam, M. J., Maniruzzaman, M., Nasreen, S. S., Haque, M. E., Hossain, M. B., Jahiruddin, M., Bell, R. W., & Jahangir, M. M. R. (2024). Retention of crop residue increases crop productivity and maintains positive sulfur balance in intensive rice-based cropping systems. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.