Ketema Zeleke

Dr. Ketema Zeleke is a researcher at Charles Sturt University's Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences faculty, affiliated with the Gulbali Research Institute. His work focuses on sustainable water management in agricultural systems across various global contexts, with particular expertise in irrigation engineering and climate adaptation strategies.

• BSc in Irrigation Engineering, Arbaminch University, Ethiopia
• MSc in Irrigation and Water Management, KU Leuven and UV Brussels, Belgium
• PhD in Soil Hydrology/Geohydrology, University of Orange Free State, South Africa

Dr. Zeleke's research spans agricultural water management, crop water productivity modelling, climate variability and change impacts, hydrology, soil physics, and soil and water conservation. His work addresses critical challenges in irrigation engineering and water resource management, particularly in semiarid and arid regions. He has developed models for predicting crop responses to water stress and has investigated innovative irrigation techniques including regulated deficit irrigation for horticultural crops. His research has significant implications for food security in water-scarce regions and contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water, climate action, and sustainable agriculture.

Analysis of Dr. Zeleke's recent publications reveals a strong focus on climate adaptation in agricultural systems, with particular attention to irrigation optimization across diverse geographical contexts including Australia, China, Laos, and Ethiopia. His work demonstrates consistent application of modeling approaches to address water scarcity challenges, with increasing emphasis on compound climate stressors like drought-heatwave interactions in recent years.

As a registered supervisor, Dr. Zeleke mentors graduate students in agricultural water management research. His work has been supported by various research grants focusing on climate adaptation in agricultural systems and sustainable irrigation practices. He actively contributes to the scientific community through peer review for journals including Agricultural Water Management and Crop and Pasture Science, and has served on review panels since 2014.

Dr. Zeleke is affiliated with the Gulbali Research Institute at Charles Sturt University, where he collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects related to agricultural innovation, water management, and climate resilience. His international research collaborations span Ethiopia, South Africa, Germany, China, Laos, and Australia, reflecting the global relevance of his work on sustainable water management in agricultural systems.