Former ICRISAT student commended

Mr Martin Paul Tabe-Ojong receiving felicitations. Photo: Tropentag

Mr Martin Paul Tabe-Ojong, former MSc student at ICRISATNairobi, has been awarded the Hans H Ruthenberg – Graduate Award by the Foundation fiat panis, Germany, in recognition of his research work on development and agricultural economics.

Martin’s thesis analyzed the linkage between adoption of improved chickpea varieties and their production and commercialization by smallholder farmers. It adds to the growing body of evidence generated by ICRISAT scientists on the positive impact of adoption of improved chickpea varieties. Three studies on the processes and effects of the introduction and adoption of improved chickpea varieties in Ethiopia have been published in the recent past. Martin’s work complements them by establishing the contribution of chickpeas towards a more market-oriented operation.

The lessons learned from this research are directly useful for future research to investigate the apparent relation of commercial chickpea production as a stepping stone to even higher value crops.

A native of Cameroon, Martin had to cross several hurdles and is thankful to GIZ and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for funds enabling him to complete his study. Starting his course work at the University of Bonn, he took the opportunity to do his MSc research at ICRISAT in Nairobi under the Tropical Legumes III project.

His supervisor Dr Kai Mausch at ICRISAT was immediately impressed with his drive an determination. Prof Dr Thomas Heckelei, University of Bonn, says, “The hospitality, practical support and academic input provided by ICRISAT allowed Martin to do high-quality research leading to this award.”

The award ceremony was held on 18 September 2019 at Kassel, Germany.

Links to the three studies mentioned above: https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2018.1559007, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajae/aay050, and https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2016.11.007