Dr Maliata Wanga
Acting HoD: DASA (Rietfontein Satellite Campus)
Qualifications
Biography
Synopsis of Key Research Outputs and Achievements
Dr Maliata Athon Wanga has demonstrated a robust and impactful research career over the past decade, significantly contributing to advancements in agricultural science with a particular focus on challenges relevant to Namibia and the broader Southern African region. His work is characterized by its interdisciplinary nature, commitment to sustainable solutions, and dedication to capacity building. His major research themes and areas of focus has primarily centered on: Plant breeding and genetic resource conservation; Plant nutrition, soil and water management; Plant health and weed management; Crop diversification.
Key Publications and Outputs:
Wanga, Maliata Athon, Yoshinori Watanabe, Ndamona Ndeliwana Kamati, Rose-Mary Kavemuine Hukununa, Beatrix Namulo Alweendo, Magdalena Ndafapawa Hangula, Pamwenafye Inatutila Nanhapo, Simon Kamwele Awala, and Mariko Fujisawa. "Impact of Paddy Fields on Soil Salinity and Sodicity at Kalimbeza Rice Project, Namibia." (2025). https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2025.157020
Rakau, P. N., Shimelis, H., Mashilo, J., & Wanga, M. A. (2025). Optimizing ethyl methanesulphonate for mutagenesis of selected tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] genotypes. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 27542. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12610-6
Moseki, O.; Kangueehi, G.; Chiteculo, V.; Zink, M.; Wanga, M.A. Agro-Physiological and Morphological Responses of Pearl Millet to Varying Water Regimes in Semi-Arid Conditions of Namibia. Agronomy 2025, 15, 381. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020381
Hilukwa, Remmie, Angelinus C. Franke, Maryke Labuschagne, Maliata Athon Wanga, Rose-mary Kavemuine Hukununa, Magdalena Ndafapawa Hangula, Eddie BS Hasheela, Cinthya Zorrilla, and Fatma Sarsu. "Radio-sensitivity of selected namibian landrace groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes to gamma radiation." Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 282 (2025): 107618.
Nanhapo, P. I., Valombola, J. S., Wanga, M. A., Elungi, K., Awala, S. K., and Horn, L. N. (2024). Optimum Gamma radiation doses to enhance genetic diversity in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes, Reproduction and Breeding, 4(2), 83-87.
Wanga, M. A., Ithete, R. N., Hukununa, R. K., Kangumba, A., Hangula, M. N., Hasheela, E. B. S., Sarsu, F., and Shimelis, S. (2023). Optimum Gamma Irradiation Doses for Mutagenesis in Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranean L.) Genotypes, Reproduction and Breeding, 4(2), 88-95.
Wanga, M. A., Shimelis, H., Mashilo, J., Horn, L. N., and Sarsu, F. (2023). Responses of elite sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) lines developed via gamma-radiation for grain yield, component traits and drought tolerance. Reproduction and Breeding, 3(4), 184-196.
Wanga, M.A., Shimelis, H., and Mashilo, J. (2022). Genotype by environment interaction of newly developed sorghum lines in Namibia. Euphytica, 218, 147.
Wanga, M. A., Shimelis, H., and Mengistu, G. (2022). Sorghum production in northern Namibia: Farmers perceived constraints and trait preferences. Sustainability, 14(16), 10266.
Wanga, M. A., Shimelis, H., Mashilo, J., & Laing, M. D. (2021). Opportunities and challenges of speed breeding: A review. Plant Breeding, 140(2), 185-194.
Wanga, M.A., Shimelis, H., Horn, L.N., Sarsu, F. (2020). The Effect of Single and Combined Use of Gamma Radiation and Ethylmethane Sulfonate on Early Growth Parameters in Sorghum. Plants, 9, 827.
Awala, S. K., Hove, K., Wanga, M. A., Valombola, J. S., & Mwandemele, O. D. (2019). Rainfall trend and variability in semi-arid northern Namibia: Implications for smallholder agricultural production. Welwitschia International Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1, 1-25.
Iijima M., Awala S.K., Nanhapo P.I., Wanga A., Mwandemele O.D. (2018) Development of Flood- and Drought-Adaptive Cropping Systems in Namibia. In: Kokubun M., Asanuma S. (eds) Crop Production under Stressful Conditions. Springer, Singapore.
Wanga, M.A., Kumar, A.A., Kangueehi, G.N., Shimelis, H., Horn, L.N., Sarsu, F. and Andowa, J.F.N. (2018) Breeding Sorghum Using Induced Mutations: Future Prospect for Namibia. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 9, 2696-2707. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2018.913196
Iijima M., Awala S.K., Nanhapo P.I., Wanga A., Mwandemele O.D. (2018) Development of Flood- and Drought-Adaptive Cropping Systems in Namibia. In: Kokubun M., Asanuma S. (eds) Crop Production under Stressful Conditions. Springer, Singapore
M. Iijima, Y. Hirooka, Y. Kawato, Y. Watanabe, K. C. Wada, N. Shinohara, P. I. Nanhapo, M. A. Wanga, K. Yamane (2017): Short-term evaluation of oxygen transfer from rice (Oryza sativa) to mixed planted drought-adapted upland crops under hydroponic culture, Plant Production Science, DOI: 10.1080/1343943X.2017.1379882
Research projects and collaborators:
Development of Blast and Downy Mildew Resistant Pearl Millet Varieties through Induced Mutation Breeding: International Atomic Energy Agency
Discovering of bruchid and Alectra vogelii Benth resistance in cowpea: Kirkhouse Trust
Evaluation of long-term cultivation impact on soil chemistry in paddy fields for sustainable rice production in southern Africa: Fukushima University Japan
Significant contributions:
Dr. Wanga believes that coordinated research efforts can lead to improved crop productivity, thereby reducing hunger and poverty. He previously led plant breeding and soil moisture and nutrition research programs at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform. He contributed to research activities that played a major role in introducing rice cultivation in the Zambezi floodplains. His interest lies in developing integrated and improved crop management for enhanced yield and product quality. He used mutation breeding techniques to develop drought-tolerant sorghum varieties. He served as the Country Counterpart for the Joint IAEA/FAO Technical Co-operation Project "Improving Crops for Drought Resilience and Nutritional Quality" and as the focal point for the knowledge hub for the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). Dr Wanga was also a member of the "Namibia-Japan Rice Mahangu Project" research project that studied the introduction of rice cultivation in the seasonal wetlands of northern Namibia. His vision is to use modern techniques in plant breeding and genetic resource conservation, plant nutrition, soil and water management, plant health and weed management, and crop diversification to contribute to institutional and human resource capacity for sustainable food production.
