Ahmed Elnaggar is an experienced Scientist with a demonstrated history of working in professional research and industry. Skilled in Sensing technology associated with Farm systems and Environment, R (programing language). His research has focused on (i) developing methods for monitoring soil and crop variability in the field through mathematical algorithms so it can be managed effectively, (ii) investigating accurate methods for estimating irrigation water demand based on real-time monitoring (sensing technologies), and (iii) developing management packages to help farmers schedule irrigation in a practical (including cost) but accurate and sustainable manner.
Ahmed completed his PhD (Doctorate) in Precision Irrigation Science from Massey University, New Zealand. His PhD work focused on improving the adoption of new sensing methods and technologies that enhance irrigated land systems. He got a Master's Degree in Irrigation Engineering from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Italy and a BSc in Agricultural Engineering from Ain Shams University, Egypt.
Ahmed started his career as an Agricultural Engineer at Agricultural Research Center in Egypt. During this time, he became familiar with designing and installing irrigation system networks. From 2014 to 2016, he worked as a National Junior Expert at CIHEAM-Bari, Italy where he coordinated two rural sustainable development projects (MARSADEV and SED) (http://marsadev.iamb.it/) funded by the Italian Cooperation in water management and land reclamation. From 2019 to 2022, he joined AgResearch Ltd, New Zealand as a Research Scientist. During the last 3 years with AgResearch, he successfully supported several strategic research projects that required complex engineering skills. For example, he supported irrigation research projects in Canterbury. In particular, he developed an understanding of water dynamics and infiltration rates under pivot irrigation, including how the existing rate of water application, typical of these appliances, can lead to poor water use efficiency as well as runoff in some soils. He instrumented several field studies for measuring runoff from farms using automated sensing technology. One of these projects is part of AgResearch’s high profile SSIF funded integrated initiative “New Zealand Biological Economy in the Digital Age” (NZBIDA) which is seeking to determine the opportunities for digital technologies to transform the New Zealand economy to increase the value of products, create new products and reduce their environmental footprint.
Since July 2022, he works at IHE Delft as Lecturer/ Researcher in Irrigation Engineering. He is teaching and supervising MSc and PhD students. In addition, he implements research and capacity development projects. He further develops the potential for new projects and research grant acquisition.
Publications
A complete list of publications can be found in ResearchGate.