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Faye Aliou

Company: Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA)

Position: Scientist and ISRA/DG advisor

Expert Summary

I earned a MS on Forestry from ENGREF Montpellier, France and a Ph. D on agricultural sciences at CIAT – TSBF Nairobi Kenya. I totalize over 25 years of professional experience in agriculture and forestry R/D including 5 years as the Director of private agricultural companies, 5 years as a Director of a soil- plant & water laboratory and, 3 years as a Director of a Regional Center of Excellence on Dry Cereals. Since October 2024, I serve as the Technical Advisor of ISRA DG in charge of partnership development. I have very good experience on international project coordinating including USAID - Feed the Future Innovation Labs, Word Bank, European Union, European Union, and West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) etc. I have good capacity on reporting and scientific papers publishing (over 100 papers in reviewed journals) and have good capacities on fundraising, human, financial and logistics resource management and, capacities and partnership development. I have good capacities on degree (3 Ph D, 27 Master and Engineers students) as well as no degree (farmers and their organizations) trainings. I am fluent in French and English and speak 03 West African Languages. My current ambition is now to bring this tremendous knowledge, international work experience and partnerships for more international development.


Publications

Publications: Over 100 publications in peer review journals including

 

Inoussa Zagre, Omonlola N. Worou, Folorunso M. Akinseye, Jacob E. Joseph, Aliou Faye, Mama Kone and Anthony M. Whitbread (2025). Simulating pearl millet growth and yield with DSSAT-CERES-millet model: Evaluating climate-smart practices for uptake across diverse environments in Senegal. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (2025) 6:1, 0011 https://doi.org/10.1079/ab.2025.0011

 Inoussa Zagre, Omonlola N. Worou, Folorunso M. Akinseye, Jacob E. Joseph, Aliou Faye, Mama Kone, Anthony M. Whitbread (2025).Simulating pearl millet growth and yield with DSSAT-CERES-millet model: Evaluating climate-smart practices for uptake across diverse environments in Senegal. Agriculture Bioscience. https://doi.org/10.1079/ab.2025.0011

 

Akinseye FM, Zagre I, Faye A, Joseph JE, Worou N, Whitbread A(2024). Exploring adaptation strategies for smallholder farmers in dryland farming systems and impact on pearl millet production under climate change in West Africa. Frontiers in Agronomy 6:12. 

 

Augustine Obour, Aliou Faye, Tobi Moriaque Akplo, Doohong Min, Zachary P, Sewart, P. V. Vara Prasad, and Yared Assefa (2025). Economic Value of dual purpose cowpea as affected by variety, and environment. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment: httphs://doi: 10.1002/agg2.70045   

Talla Lo, Aliou Faye, Mamadou T. Diaw, Abdoulaye Dieng, Doohong Min, Augustine Obour, Ramasamy Parumal, and P. V. Vara Prasad (2024). Pearl Millet Biomass for Fodder in West Africa Region in Pearl Millet: A Resilient Cereal Crop for Food, Nutrition, and Climate Security, First Edition American Society of Agronomy, Inc./Crop Science Society of America, Inc./Soil Science Society of America, Inc. Published 2024 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Char 13 pp 417-444

Aliou Faye*, Augustine K. Obour, Tobi Moriaque Akplo, Zachary P. Stewart, Doohong Min, P. V. Vara Prasad, and Yared Assefa (2024): Dual-Purpose Cowpea Grain and Fodder Yield Response to Variety, Fertilizer, and Environment.Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment: httphs://doi: 10.1002/agg2.20459  

Charles Wortmann, Aliou Faye, Maman Garba, Idriss Serme, and Zachary P. Stewart (2023). Crop Nutrition Management for Semiarid Areas of Sub-Saharan Africa with Increasingly Variable Climate.Book chapter Soil and Drought; DOI: 10.1201/b22954-4 . 84_107  

Sidy Tine, Aliou Faye, Augustine K. Obour, Doudou Diouf, Junior Bruno Mbar Ndiaye, Mouhamadan Lo, Tobi Moriaque Akplo, Saliou Ndiaye, Yared Assefa (2023). Cowpea residue management effect on productivity of subsequent millet in a legume-cereal crop rotation (2023). Agrosyst Geosci.Environ.2023.  https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20413

Ndiaye, J.B.; Obour, A.K.; Harmoney, K.; Diouf, D.; Faye, A.; Diamé, L.; Fall, D.; Assefa, Y. Predicting Nutritional Quality of Dual-Purpose Cowpea Using NIRS and the Impacts of Crop Management. Sustainability 2023, 15, 12155. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612155

Tobi Moriaque Akplo, Aliou Faye, Augustine Obour, Zachary P. Stewart, Doohong Min, P. V. Vara Prasad (2023): Dual-purpose crops for grain and fodder to improve nutrition security in semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa: A review.https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.492

Faye, A.; Akplo, T.M.; Stewart, Z.P.; Min, D.; Obour, A.K.; Assefa, Y.; Prasad, P.V.V. Increasing Millet Planting Density with Appropriate Fertilizer to Enhance Productivity and System Resilience in Senegal. Sustainability 2023, 15, 4093. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/su15054093 

Ana J.P.Carcedo,aNilsonVieira Junior,aLuciaMarziotte,aAdrián A.Correndo,aAlemoAraya,aP.V. Vara Prasad, Doohong Min, Zachary P.Stewart, AliouFaye, Ignacio A.Ciampitti (2023). The urgency for investment on local data for advancing food assessments in Africa: A review case study for APSIM crop modeling. J.ensoft 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2023.105633

Jha, P.K.; Middendorf, G.; Faye, A.; Middendorf, B.J.; Prasad, P.V.V. (2023). Lives and Livelihoods in Smallholder Farming Systems of Senegal: Impacts, Adaptation, and Resilience to COVID-19. Land 2023, 12,178. https://doi.org/10.3390/ land12010178 

Raphaël Pilloni , Aliou Faye , Aparna Kakkera ,Jana Kholova,  Romiel Badji, Coumba Faye and Vincent Vadez. Higher sowing density of pearl millet increases productivity and water use efficiency in high evaporative demand seasons . doi.org10.3389/fpls.2022.1035181 

Eeswaran, R.; Nejadhashemi, A.P.; Faye, A.; Min, D.; Prasad, P.V.V.; Ciampitti, I.A (2022). Current and Future Challenges and Opportunities for Livestock Farming in West Africa: Perspectives from the Case of Senegal. Agronomy 2022, 12, 1818. https://doi.org/10.3390/ agronomy12081818 

Leonardo M. Bastos, Aliou Faye , Zachary P. Stewart , Tobi Moriaque Akplo,Doohong Min , P.V. Vara Prasad, Ignacio A. Ciampitti (2022). Variety and management selection to optimize pearl millet yield and profit in Senegal. European Journal of Agronomy 139 (2022) 126565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2022.126565

Araya, P.K. Jha, Z. Zambreski, A. Faye, I.A. Ciampitti, D. Min, P.H. Gowda, U. Singh, P.V.V. Prasad (2022). Evaluating crop management options for sorghum, pearl millet and peanut to minimize risk under the projected midcentury climate scenario for different locations in Senegal. Climate Risk Management 36 (2022) 100436 

Faye, A.; Stewart, Z.P.; Diome, K.; Edward, C.-T.; Fall, D.; Ganyo, D.K.K.; Akplo, T.M.; Prasad, P.V.V (2021). Single Application of Biochar Increases Fertilizer Efficiency, C Sequestration, and pH over the Long-Term in Sandy Soils of Senegal. Sustainability 2021, 13, 11817. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su132111817

Hernández, C.M.; Faye, A.; Ly, M.O.; Stewart, Z.P.; Vara Prasad, P.V.; Bastos, L.M.; Nieto, L.; Carcedo, A.J.P.; Ciampitti, I.A. Soil and Climate Characterization to Define Environments for Summer Crops in Senegal. Sustainability 2021, 13, 11739. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1321 11739 

Jha, A. P.K., Stewart, Z.P., Faye A., Traore , H., Middendorf , B.J., Prasad P.V. V. (2021). Projecting potential impact of COVID-19 on major cereal crops in Senegal and Burkina Faso using crop simulation models Agricultural Systems 190 (2021) 103107 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103107 

Middendorf, B. J., Faye, A., Middendorf, G., Stewart, Z.P.,. Jha, P. P., Prasad P.V. V. (2021). Smallholder farmer perceptions about the impact of COVID-19 on agriculture and livelihoods in Senegal. Agricultural Systems (2021), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103108 

Sonko, A., Ndour, N.Y.B., N’Diénor, M., Faye, A. Bakhoum, N. Ndiaye S. (2021). Evaluation of nutrients (N, P, K) limiting maize (Zea mays L.) yield in two agro-ecological zones of the southern-central of Senegal. JCBPS; Section B; February 2021 –April 2021, Vol. 11, No. 2; 396-406, E- ISSN: 2249 –1929 DOI: 10.24214/jcbps.B.11.2.39606. 

A. Faye, Z.P. Stewart, K. Ndung’u-Magiroi, M. Diouf, I. Ndoye, T. Diope, Y. Dalpé, P.V.V. Prasad and D. Lesueur (2020). Testing of Commercial Inoculants to Enhance P Uptake and Grain Yield of Promiscuous Soybean in Kenya. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3803; doi:10.3390/su12093803 

Beye, A.; Diakhate, P.B.; Diouf, O.; Faye, A.; Obour, A.K.; Stewart, Z.P.; Assefa, Y.; Min, D.; Prasad, P.V.V. Socio-Economic Constraints of Adopting New Cowpea Varieties in Three Agro-Ecological Zones in the Senegalese Peanut Basin.Sustainability 2022, 14, 14550. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su142114550 

Faye A, Dalpé Y, Ndung’u-Magiroi K, Jefwa J, Ndoye I, Diouf, M., and Lesueur, D. (2020). Effets synergétiques d’inocula commerciaux sur la croissance et les rendements d’une variété améliorée de soja au Kenya. Soumis dans Canadian Journal of Microbiology 

J.M. Jefwa, P. Pypers, M. Jemo, M. Thuita, E. Mutegi, M.A. Laditi, A. Faye, A. Kavoo, W. Munyahali, L. Herrmann, M. Atieno, R. Okalebo, A. Yusuf, A. Ibrahim, K.W. Ndung’u-Magiroi, A. Asrat, D. Muletta, C. Ncho, M. Kamaa, and D. Lesueur  (2014). Do Commercial Biological and Chemical Products Increase Crop Yields and Economic Returns Under Smallholder Farmer’s Conditions? In B. Vanlauwe et al. (eds.), Challenges and Opportunities for Agricultural Intensification of the Humid Highland Systems of Sub-Saharan Africa, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-07662-1_7, © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014 81

M. M. Perrineau, C. Le Roux, A. Galiana, A. Faye, R. Duponnois, D. Goh, Y. Prin, G. Bena (2014). Differing Courses of Genetic Evolution of Bradyrhizobium Inoculants as Revealed by Long-Term Molecular Tracing in Acacia mangium Plantations Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2014, 80(18):5709. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02007-14

Faye A., Dalpe, Y., K.W. Ndung’u-Magiroi, Jewfa J., Ndoye I., Diouf M. Lesueur d., (2013) evaluation of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants: cjps doi: can, j, plant sci, (2013) 93: 1_8 doi:10,4141/cjps2012-326 

Faye A., Krasova-Wade, T., Thiao, M., Thioulouse, J., Neyra, M., Prin, Y., Galiana, A., Ndoye, I., Dreyfus, B., Duponnois, R. (2009). Controlled ectomycorrhization of an exotic legume tree species Acacia holosericea affects the structure of root nodule bacteria community and their symbiotic effectiveness on Faidherbia albida, a native sahelian Acacia. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 41: 1245-1252


Additional Info

Student supervision:

-       Over 27 MS students supervised 

-       03 ongoing Ph. D candidates

Languages:

-        International languages: French and English (Fluent)

 

-        Local languages spoken: Serer, Wolof and Pular

 

 


Education

Education

-       MS (2008) with a French Institute for Research and Development Scholarship Award on Rural and Tropical Forestry at AgroParisTech, Center of Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural, des Eaux et Forêts (ENGREF), Montpellier, France.

MS Thesis title: Introduction and inoculation with fungal symbionts of an exotic forest species (Acacia holosericea) in Senegal: consequences on the genotypic and functional diversity of the indigenous microflora and, perceptions of actors Grade: MS A+: Major de la promotion Foresterie Rurale et Tropicale. Two (2) scientific publications in peer reviewed Journal. Two (2) months academic internship at Ecole Nationale Forestière d’Ingénieurs (ENFI) of Rabat Salé in Morocco (January – March 2007). ENGREF- ENFI internship Report : Faye A. Massoukou L., DIONE B., FLORIS G. et Lermyte C. (2007). “Words of men, words of trees: Contribution to the identification of the main causes of the decline of the cedar forest of the Moroccan Middle Atlas” ENFI – ENGREF study report

 

 

-       Ph. D on Plant Biology and Production Improvement at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, with a competitive Award from a Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation project at Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF); Institute of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Nairobi, Kenya (2011). Two (2) months internship at Agriculture and Agri food Canada, Ottawa. Ph. D Thesis title: Potentialities of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) in three agro-ecological zones of Kenya. Two (2) scientific publications in peer reviewed journal published on the thesis. Grade: Highest Honors with Congratulations of the Jury. 


Experience

Employment history

  • Since October 2024: Technical Advisor of ISRA/DG in charge of partnership and fundings development
  • July 2022 – October 2024: Director of the Regional Centre of Excellence on Dry Cereals and Associated Crops (CERAAS) of the Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA), 
  • January 2012 to March 2017: Head of the Soil – Water and Plant Laboratory at Centre National de Recherches Agronomiques (CNRA) of the Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA), Bambey
  • June 2008 - March 2012: Competitive Award from a Bill and Melinda Gates project for a Ph. D scholarship at Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF); institute of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Nairobi, Kenya
  • September 2005 - March 2008: Awarded by the French Cooperation for a MS degree scholarship at AgroParisTech - ENGREF, Montpellier, France: 
  • January 2002-June 2004: Awarded by the French Cooperation for a BS scholarship at CIEDS, Rouen, France for BS program

Achievement: BS on tropical forestry Grade A++ and top of the class.  

  • January 2001-October 2005: Research Assistant at Common Laboratory of Soil Microbiology (IRD/ISRA/UCAD) while pursuing a University Diploma on Project Management at School of Applied Economy (ENEA), Dakar, Senegal
  • September 1996- April 2001: Technical Director off a Senegalese private company on agricultural product trading (SETEXPHARM). Farm Manager of private Saudi Arabia company (Asylia Gum Company) dealing with no wood forest products trading at Dahra Djolof, Louga region of Senegal. 

 

  • August 1992 – August 1996: Head of the Agricultural Research Station of Mbiddi, Saint Louis Region, Senegal:

Other Work Experiences 

-           National and regional projects and Programs building and coordination

-           Team member of the executive committee of African Biochar Consortium (ABC); 

-           Team member of African Forest Forum (AFF); 

-           Team member of African Association of Biological Nitrogen Fixation (AABNF);

-           Team member of African Association of mycologist (AAM).

-           Impact assessment experiences with Ecole National Forestière d’Ingénieurs (ENFI) of Rabat Salé, Morocco 

-           Agronomy and soil sciences teaching in different Senegalese universities

-           Senegalese Agricultural Ministry Advisor

 Recent International Projects Coordination Experiences

 

-       Principal Investigator of the Cornell University -ISRA project “Scaling A Solution to Climate Change, Health, Agriculture, Water and Energy Challenges in Africa” 2024_2026

-       Regional Program Coordinator of USAID – Feed the Future Climate Resilience Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab (CRSIIL) (2024 _2028)

-       Program Coordinator of USAID Feed the Future Climate Resilience Cereals Innovation Lab (CRCIL) in Senegal (2024-2028)

-       Coordinator of the Cornell University – CERAAS project “Scaling A Solution to Climate Change, Health, Agriculture, Water and Energy Challenges in Africa (January 2024 -December 2025)

-       Country Coordinator of IITA Soil4Africa Project in Senegal, January _December2024

-       Country Program Coordinator, the World Bank project on “Accelerating the Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA)” (2021 _2024:)

-       West Africa Regional Coordinator of USAID – Feed the Future Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab (SIIL), 2016 to 2024.

-       Focal point of USAID – CORAF – SIIL initiative “Innovation Research Extension, Advisory Coordination Hub” (IREACH)

-       Country Coordination of Agricultural Technology Park of CORAF of Food System Resilience Program (FSRP)

-       Country Coordinator of USAID - Mathematica Group project “Sustainable Agriculture Decision Support Tool” funded by Mathematica group Washington DC (2020- 2023)

-       West Africa Coordinator of USAID Feed the Future SIIL project “Building the resilience of smallholder agro-pastoral farming systems by integrating crop-livestock-human nutrition in Senegal and Niger” funded by (2020-2023)

-       Country Coordinator of USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume System Research (ILLSR) “Sustainable Intensification of Dual-Purpose Cowpea Varieties for Enhanced Food and Fodder in Senegal” (2020 – 2024)

-       Country Coordinator of USAID - SIIL - GFSRC_UC Davis of “Updating Fertilizer Recommendations Across Rainfall Gradients and Soil Fertility Levels for Improving Dual-Purpose Millet Nutrient Use Efficiency in Senegal (2017-2019) 

-       Country Coordinator of USAID – Michigan State University the Project « Appropriate-Scale Mechanization Consortium for Sustainable Intensification (ASMC) » funded by Biosystem of Agricultural Engineering de Michigan State University (2020 – 2023)

 









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