Msafiri Yusuph Mkonda is a senior lecturer with 12 years of experience in research, consultancy and teaching at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA); College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, in Morogoro, Tanzania. His specialities in publications include Agroforestry, Agricultural Resources, Tropical Agricultural Systems, Conservation Agriculture, Agro-ecosystems, Organic Farming, Wetland Ecosystems Management, Environmental Conservation and Climate Change and Adaptations. He holds a PhD in agricultural resources and environment from Southwest University in China (2018), with specialty in accumulation of soil carbon and climate change impacts and adaptations. He also holds a second degree (MSc) in natural resources assessment and management from the University of Dar Es Salaam (2012) and a first degree (bachelor of education) in geography from the University of Dar Es Salaam (2007). At SUA, he teaches introduction to physical geography, quantitative methods in geography and environmental education and conservation for undergraduate students, and climate change science and impact management for postgraduate students. His recent consultancy assignment is on “Economics of Natural Capital in East Africa Project. The consultancy project is funded by USAID, and the assignment commenced on 1–30 September 2020”, and (January–December 2021). Previously, Dr. Mkonda was involved in a consultancy: “Ascertaining sources of revenue for the National Environmental Trust Fund”. This consultancy project was funded by the Vice President's Office, June 2015–March 2016. Dr. Mkonda is an expert in community involvement, using different methodologies, including facilitation of capacity building. Alongside, he is an expert in natural resources governance in local governments, and in the creation of awareness among the local communities towards climate change adaptations and vulnerability. In terms of research, Dr. Mkonda was involved as a research assistant in the research project, “Climate Change Resilience on the Maize and Rice crops in the Rufiji Basin from 2012 to 2015”, a case of Kilombero and Kilosa districts, Tanzania. The project was funded by USAIDS. In this project, among others, the team was involved in assessing the impacts of climate change on farmers at the ward, district and regional levels, and proposed adaptation strategies. Dr. Mkonda is the author of 25 journal papers and 6 book chapters published in international peer-reviewed journals. Alongside, he has attended several international conferences on agriculture and the environment to present his works. Among these conferences are International Conference on “Towards a Climate Resilient Society for the Desired Sustainable Futures in Africa”, held on 8th – 10th October 2019 at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; CCAI Network Climate Change and Food Security Conference held at Ledger Bahari Beach Hotel Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, from 21st to 22nd August 2019; International Congress of Ecology held in Beijing, China, from 20th to 26th, August 2017; and The XIX International Botanical Conference held in Shenzhen, China, from 23rd to 29th July 2017. Alongside, Dr. Mkonda has attended several trainings on multidisciplinary research writing. Some of these include The Training on Multidisciplinary Research Writing Proposal phases one and two, both held at Dodoma University, Tanzania, from 27th to 29th November 2019, and from 21st to 23rd October 2020, respectively. He is a regular reviewer of various journals such as Agricultural Systems, Agronomy for Sustainable Development, Regional Environmental Change, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Environment, Development and Sustainability Journal, Journal of Human Ecology, Advances in Meteorology Journal, Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science and International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management. In addition, Dr. Mkonda is an external examiner of some universities and academic institutes (e.g. Institute of Adult Education, Morogoro campus). In this aspect, reviewing dissertations/thesis and moderating examinations are some of his important activities.
