In the fields of Luweero, central Uganda, Mohamed Abdi Khaliif Isse often stands alongside farmers and students, observing soil texture, crop vigor and pest activity. For him, agronomy is not only a scientific discipline it is a bridge between research and the everyday realities of farming.

Originally from Somalia, Mohamed now serves as an agronomist, researcher and lecturer at Kampala University. His work focuses on soil fertility management, crop productivity, pest and disease control, and sustainable water use in smallholder farming systems. Each week, he balances lecturing undergraduate students, supervising research projects and conducting field trials, while also mentoring young scientists to communicate their ideas clearly and confidently.

But his journey into agronomy began much earlier.

“At the age of 12, I used to grow onions, tomatoes, beans and sorghum at home in Somalia”, he recalls. “I didn't have formal knowledge, but I was curious. I experimented with planting patterns and watering schedules and learned how small decisions affected crop growth”.

That early curiosity eventually led him to pursue agricultural studies in Uganda. Over time, he realized that agronomy sits at the center of agricultural productivity, but also at the intersection of two realities: on one hand, the scientific knowledge that can improve the quality and productivity of farming for families; on the other, the challenges faced by communities that depend on agriculture as their primary livelihood.

Today, Mohamed's research focuses on practical solutions for smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Uganda's agricultural sector. Yet these farmers face a range of multifaceted challenges, including declining soil fertility, unpredictable weather patterns and limited access to quality agricultural inputs and advisory services.

“To address these challenges, my research promotes affordable and locally available solutions”, he explains. “For example, we study how organic materials such as coffee husks or goat manure can improve soil fertility and crop performance. These materials are readily accessible to many farming communities and, when properly managed, improve soil organic matter, nutrient availability and crop performance”.

One of his recent research projects examined the effects of organic amendments on tomato production. Smallholder farmers in Uganda often harvest around 2.5 kilograms of tomatoes per plant, only half of the potential yield. Through field trials, Mohamed demonstrated that improved organic soil management can significantly increase yields while maintaining long-term soil health.

For Mohamed, the most meaningful moments of agronomy happen far from lecture halls, out in the field, where theory meets reality. In 2023, he served as agronomist and crop advisor for a 20-acre maize farm in Luweero, working side by side with farmers to demonstrate soil fertility and crop management practices. Watching farmers apply these techniques and observe improvements in crop growth reinforced a conviction that shapes his work as both a researcher and educator: agricultural knowledge must travel beyond research papers and into the hands of those who cultivate the land.

This belief in sharing practical knowledge beyond the classroom naturally led him to engage with FAO AGRIS, FAO's global information system for agricultural science and technology. Mohamed first discovered the platform through academic networks and mentors who emphasized the importance of sharing research beyond institutional boundaries.

“Indexing my work in FAO AGRIS was important because it ensures global visibility and accessibility. Researchers, extension workers and practitioners, especially in developing countries, can access knowledge that might otherwise be locked behind paywalls.

At Kampala University, this access directly shapes how research is taught and conducted.

Mohamed and his students frequently rely on FAO AGRIS to review literature, design experiments and build scientific foundations for their projects. During a recent student study on tomato production in eastern Uganda, the platform helped identify research on organic amendments, soil nutrient dynamics and integrated nutrient management, guiding the experimental design and helping students connect local farming challenges with global scientific evidence.

In this way, FAO AGRIS serves as a bridge between knowledge produced in different regions of the world, allowing researchers, educators and students to build upon existing evidence rather than starting from scratch. For institutions and researchers in developing countries, access to such global knowledge networks helps strengthen local research capacity while ensuring that locally generated solutions contribute to the broader scientific conversation.

Looking ahead, Mohamed sees several transformative trends shaping agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Climate-smart agriculture, digital advisory and extension services and renewed attention to soil health are redefining how knowledge moves between research institutions and farming communities. As these innovations expand, the role of open knowledge platforms like FAO AGRIS will become even more important in ensuring that scientific discoveries remain accessible where needed.

“Teaching agronomy is not only about delivering lectures", Mohamed emphasizes. “It is about helping students connect science with the realities farmers face every day, so that the next generation of agronomists can turn knowledge into practical solutions in the field”.

Yet for Mohamed, technology and innovation must remain grounded in human experience. His advice to the next generation of agronomists reflects this balance between science and practice. “A farmer who has worked the land for 40 years has valuable knowledge and cannot be ignored. Do not compete with that experience, acknowledge it, learn from it, and then add value through scientific understanding and innovation”, he says. For this reason, he encourages young students entering the field to develop three essential qualities: curiosity, patience and hands-on learning. Agriculture, he believes, is not only a scientific discipline, but a lifelong process of observation, experimentation and collaboration with farming communities.

Ultimately, Mohamed sees research not as an academic milestone, but as a responsibility. “Research should not be done only to graduate or to wear a gown. Its true purpose is to solve real-world problems and improve lives, especially for farmers and communities who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods”.

By connecting researchers, students and practitioners through accessible knowledge, FAO AGRIS ensures that discoveries made in laboratories and classrooms can reach fields and farms, where they have the power to make the greatest difference.