Dr. Raizada's expertise in crop agriculture focuses on two areas: global hunger and beneficial microbes (microbiome). In the area of global hunger, Raizada specializes in subsistence/ smallholder farming in developing nations, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and Nepal.
Dr. Raizada's expertise in crop agriculture focuses on two areas: global hunger and beneficial microbes (microbiome). In the area of global hunger, Raizada specializes in subsistence/ smallholder farming in developing nations, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and Nepal.
He has pioneered Sustainable Agriculture Kits (SAKs) for farmers which have thus far helped 272,000 rural peoples, especially women farmers.
His research into beneficial microbes (probiotics/ biologicals/inoculants) for crops includes discovering and breeding rhizobia/ rhizobium, endophytes and epiphytes to combat low soil fertility (especially by maximizing biological nitrogen fixation), drought (e.g. via improved root growth) and fungal disease (especially Fusarium in corn and wheat). His lab also engineers microbial biosensors for improved soil nutrient testing.
Raizada is trained as a plant and bacterial molecular geneticist, focusing on harnessing genetic variants (DNA mutations). His teaching also includes promoting Canadian First Nations and Indigenous farming and foods.