Miss Aina CHIKANKHENI
About Miss Aina CHIKANKHENI
Aina Chikankheni is an Assistant Lecturer in Farm power and Machinery with strong foundation in agricultural engineering and hands-on experience in government-led agricultural development programs. Currently serving in academia at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda Campus, under the Department of Engineering. She holds a Master of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Zambia, and is registered member of the Malawi Engineering Institution(MEI) and serves as an Expedited Member of the LUANAR Research Ethics Committee (REC), where she contributes to ethical review and oversight of research proposals in agriculture, engineering, and related fields..Chikankheni is dedicated to training the next generation of agricultural engineers, with a particular focus on sustainable mechanization and technology-driven farming systems. Her areas of interest include sustainable mechanization, agriculture machinery systems, post-harvest machinery, and innovations in smallholder farming technologies. Before transitioning into academia, she worked with the department of crops development under the Ministry of Agriculture, where she served as a Farm Mechanization Officer for eight years and was later promoted to the post of Principal Agriculture Officer. In these roles, she was instrumental in promoting the adoption of modern machinery among smallholder farmers, evaluating mechanization needs, and contributing to national strategies for increased agricultural productivity. Her public sector experience also includes serving as a Water Users Association Coordinator under the Department of Irrigation. In this capacity, she facilitated community -based water resource management, strengthen irrigation scheme governance, and supported farmers in optimizing water use for improved crop production. Through her work, Aina continues to contribute to the development of Malawi's agricultural sector by bridging the gap between academic research, mechanization policy, and practical implementation.
Research Interest for: Miss Aina CHIKANKHENI
Sustainable Farm Mechanization for Smallholder Farmers
Development and adaptation of affordable, efficient, and scalable machinery suitable for Smallholder agricultural systems.
Energy Efficient in Agricultural Machinery Operations
Optimization of energy use in farm power systems, with focus on fuel consumption, machine performance, and environmental sustainability.
Mechanization in Irrigated Agriculture
Integration of farm power systems in irrigation schemes to enhance water use efficiency and agricultural productivity.
Post-Harvest Technology and Value Addition
Mechanized solutions for reducing post-harvest losses and improving crop handling, processing, and storage.
Gender-Responsive and Youth-friendly Mechanization Technologies
Design and promotion of farm machinery that addresses the unique needs and constraints of women and youth in agriculture.