Think of a kitchen sink, with taps that supply water and drains that remove it. What happens when the drain stops working? The sink gets clogged.

The same happens with the earth. The world’s population is expected to touch 8.5 billion in the next 15 years. Reduced rainfall and overuse of natural resources are hindering the planet’s ability to meet food demands.

Princess Adeji, a doctoral student in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University, studies how to grow multiple crops on the same land. Her research could increase crop production, especially for small farmers in developing countries.

Photo: Princess Adeji