DC 9 – University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Wudu Abiye is a PhD fellow in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network AGRI-DRY, jointly hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Spain. His research investigates how agricultural practices contribute to land degradation in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on climate variability, farming systems, and sustainable land management. Through geospatial modeling, hydrological assessments, ethnographic approaches, and field-based analyses, Wudu explores the complex interactions between land use, climate change, and ecosystem resilience.
Wudu’s expertise lies at the intersection of soil hydrology, geospatial technologies, and climate change adaptation. He specializes in using GIS, remote sensing, and machine learning to model erosion risks and assess land and water resource dynamics. His academic background includes an MSc in Agricultural Water Management Engineering and a BSc in Soil and Water Resource Management, complemented by international training in sand dam water harvesting and climate-resilient agriculture.
Prior to his PhD, Wudu worked for over four years as a Soil and Water Management Researcher at the Amhara Agricultural Research Institute in Ethiopia. In this role, he led field studies, developed research proposals, conducted data analysis, and published peer-reviewed findings.
With a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and sustainable development, Wudu Abiye aims to bridge the gap between science and practice by advancing evidence-based strategies that support resilient agroecosystems and inform land management policy.
AGRI-DRY Project:
Agricultural practices and land degradation
This research explores how modern agricultural methods and land management tactics influence land degradation in sub-Saharan Africa. Combining agronomy with ethnography, the study assesses important aspects like water use efficiency, conservation agriculture, soil quality variations, and ecosystem services. Fieldwork will occur in areas marked by rainfed agriculture and significant seasonal rainfall fluctuations, which are especially susceptible to environmental shifts. The results seek to enhance sustainable land management practices and offer valuable insights for climate change adaptation strategies within the region.
AGRI-DRY 