ICRISAT wins Africa Food Prize for improving food security in Sub-Saharan countries

The award was given away at the Africa Forum for Green Revolution (AGRF) 2021 Summit that is underway in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Jacqueline d'Arros Hughes, ICRISAT Director General, accepted the prize virtually.

Africa Food Prize recognizes extraordinary women, men, and institutions whose outstanding contributions to African agriculture are forging a new era of sustainable food security and the economic opportunity that elevates all Africans.

The US $100,000 prize celebrates Africans who are taking control of Africa's agriculture agenda. It puts a spotlight on bold initiatives and technical innovations that can be replicated across the continent to create a new era of food security and economic opportunity for all Africans.

Between 2007 and 2019, ICRISAT led a collaboration of partners to deliver the Tropical Legumes Project. The project, undertaken with national and international institutions, developed 266 improved legume varieties and almost half a million tons of seed for a range of legume crops, including cowpeas, pigeon peas, chickpea, common bean, groundnut, and soybean. These new varieties have helped over 25 million smallholder farmers in both Africa and Asia become more resilient to climate change, as well as pest and disease outbreaks.

This is a significant recognition of ICRISAT's work over the last five decades. ICRISAT will be turning 50 next March. Dr. Hughes dedicated this award to the smallholder farmer in the drylands.