Congratulations!Amit Basukala successfully defended his doctoral thesis

18 July 2024

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We are proud to announce the successful disputation of our SICSS member Amit Kumar Basukala.

His dissertation “Towards sustainable agricultural land use in Nepal under climate change: The role of efficient irrigation and fertilizer application” was supervised by Dr. Livia Rasche and Prof. Dr. Annette Eschenbach (University of Hohenheim and Universität Hamburg, respectively).

Amit identified multiple challenges and opportunities for Nepal's agriculture sector, suggesting solutions to increase crop yields under current and future conditions. He, by using physical process-based biophysical crop modeling, showed that efficient fertilizer and water use are vital for closing yield gaps and achieving food self-sufficiency in Nepal. He identified that expanding irrigated areas and enhancing canal conveyance efficiency can enhance crop productivity in Nepal. He also identified that adopting adaptive practices like alternate wetting and drying for rice cultivation shows potential for sustainable agriculture by improving yields and reducing water use and methane emissions. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers to enhance food security and agricultural sustainability in Nepal and similar regions.

Amit was associated with the Research Unit Sustainability and Climate Risks at Universität Hamburg.

His future plans?

Amit plans to pursue a career in sustainable intensification of agriculture, aiming to enhance food security. His focus is on integrating cutting-edge research with practical solutions. He aspires to make an impact on global food systems.