Melinda Smale

Melinda Smale

Contact Me

Professor
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics

Phone:
703-231-8492

Email:

Degrees:
Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park
M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.A., Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
B.A., Duke University

Publications on Google Scholar

Dr. Melinda Smale joined the Food Security Group in 2011 as a fixed-term Professor of International Development, working intensively with research partners in Kenya, Zambia, Mali and Burkina Faso. From 2002, at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Bioversity International, she led a global research program about the economics of crop genetic resources. The team studied biotech crops, genebanks, on-farm crop diversity, local seed markets, and underutilized crops in numerous countries, including Mali, Uganda, India, Nepal, Bolivia, Colombia and the Philippines. While living in Malawi and later in Mexico (1989-2000), she analyzed the adoption and impacts of improved wheat and maize seed for the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). During the 1980s, Melinda worked in Pakistan, Somalia, Mauritania and Niger on shorter-term assignments. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, has received awards for outstanding articles and has served on the editorial committees of several journals.

Professional Interests

  • Adoption and impact processes for seed, including biotechnology, and improved crop management practices, including practices to rehabilitate soil fertility and moisture
  • Analysis of farm productivity
  • Crop biodiversity, on-farm and ex situ conservation of crop genetic resources
  • Formal and informal seed systems

Melinda Smale

People

News

Prospective Students

Resources

  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University
Michigan State University wordmark

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).