Usman holds Master's degree in Agricultural Economics (Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria), Bachelor of Agriculture (Nasarawa State University, Nigeria), Diploma in Computer Study (UNDP, Vocational Institute, Nigeria) and a Proficiency Certificate in Management (Nigerian Institute of Management- Chartered, Nigeria). He is a recipient of many university awards of academic excellence and scholarships. Usman began his PhD journey in October 2023 at the Division of Social and Institutional Change in Agricultural Development (490c), University of Hohenheim. His PhD is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). His research interest is on policies and institutions that support agricultural mechanization for sustainable food systems in Africa. His current thesis work is on the Investment Analysis of Agricultural Mechanization Hiring Services in Tanzania, where he analyzed the conditions under which mechanization service provision becomes profitable and sustainable. Also, through his PhD research, he is working to develop a tool for Participatory Rapid Demo (plot) Appraisal (PRaDA) using the African Agri-center of Excellence (AAE) Mechanization Project in Kenya and Tanzania as case studies. Usman works at the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, as an Agricultural Economist and Extension Specialist. Previously, he worked for two private sector input financing, out-grower firms as field supervisor by ensuring that farmers achieved high yield and 100% loan recovery. His over 10 years research experience began at his undergraduate level where he worked as a freelancer research assistant to many development projects. Usman is a data management and farmers relationship expert with almost a decade of experience in networking, stakeholder management as well as coordinating high impact local and international research and data analysis.
