Manish N. Raizada

Manish N. Raizada is a Professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph's Ontario Agricultural College, serving as International Relations Officer. His research spans fundamental and applied studies in crop probiotics and sustainable agriculture for small-scale farmers.

His research focuses on three core projects: (1) Plant Microbiome Inheritance, where his lab discovered seed-borne microbiomes and pollen microbiome selection; (2) Evolving Bacteria for Farmers, developing nodule-crushing techniques for legume inoculation; and (3) Empowering Small Scale Farmers through Sustainable Agriculture Kits (SAKs) impacting 272,000 people. His work integrates microbial ecology with practical farming solutions, emphasizing indigenous knowledge systems and democratization of agricultural technologies.

Raizada's publications reveal strong trends in plant-microbe interactions (particularly maize and legumes), sustainable intensification for smallholders, and microbiome engineering for pathogen resistance. His work spans agricultural science, microbiology, and development studies with emphasis on real-world implementation in Nepal, Haiti, and Africa.

He actively mentors graduate students and postdocs, with alumni securing faculty positions globally. His lab has developed practical resources including Farmpedia (an online encyclopedia for small-scale farmers in 108 languages) and SAKBooks (picture-based agricultural lessons).

Raizada collaborates extensively with international organizations including UN FAO (where he's delivered keynote addresses), IFA, and CGIAR. His work has been featured in BBC World Service, CBC Radio, and Canadian Geographic, demonstrating significant policy and public impact.