The World Food Prize Foundation proudly presents the inaugural Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP), celebrating 38 global innovators transforming food systems in honor of our 38th anniversary.
The TAP trailblazers are driving change in agriculture and global food security and will form the first cohort of TAP. They will also be recognized at the 2024 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa.
Mathildah AmolloKenya | Livestock Nutrition
Mathildah Amollo is the Founder, Director, and CEO of GreatLakes Feeds Ltd in Kenya. She leads the company in producing high-quality animal feeds that support sustainable livestock farming. With a strong background in agricultural science and business management, Amollo is dedicated to improving livestock productivity and ensuring food security in... [ View ] |
Ogugua AworhNigeria | Indigenous Crops
Ogugua Aworh is a distinguished Nigerian food scientist and professor at the University of Ibadan, renowned for his expertise in food processing and preservation technologies. His research focuses on enhancing the safety, shelf life, and quality of traditional African foods, significantly contributing to food security and rural development in Sub-Saharan... [ View ] |
Gary BañuelosUSA | Soil Restoration
Dr. Gary Bañuelos is a plant and soil scientist at the USDA-ARS Water Management Research Unit and an adjunct professor at UC California and CSU Fresno. Renowned for his work in phytoremediation, Dr. Bañuelos has focused on developing alternative crops and bio-based products for poor-quality soils. His research began with... [ View ] |
Marianne BänzigerSwitzerland | Food Systems Advocacy
Marianne Bänziger is a renowned agricultural scientist and leader in international development, recognized for her contributions to improving food security in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. As the former Deputy Director General for Research and Partnerships at CIMMYT, she led initiatives to develop drought-tolerant and disease-resistant crops, significantly benefiting smallholder... [ View ] |
Hilary BarryIreland | Women's Empowerment
Hilary Barry is a co-founder of LadiAgri, a platform dedicated to empowering women in agriculture. LadiAgri focuses on providing female farmers with essential resources, training, and technology to enhance their productivity and economic opportunities. Under Hilary Barry's leadership, LadiAgri has become a recognized force in promoting gender equality in agriculture.... [ View ] |
Mary Boote RothUSA | Farmer Advocacy
Mary Boote Roth is the CEO and founder of the Global Farmer Network, an organization dedicated to empowering farmers worldwide to advocate for trade, technology, and sustainable agriculture. With a deep passion for rural development, she has built a platform that amplifies the voices of farmers, connecting them with policymakers,... [ View ] |
Bas BoumanThe Netherlands | Rice Agronomy
Bas Bouman is a soil scientist specializing in sustainable agriculture and soil management. His research focuses on optimizing soil health and enhancing agricultural productivity while promoting environmental sustainability. Bouman has led numerous international projects aimed at improving soil use to support food security and mitigate environmental impact. His work emphasizes... [ View ] |
Tim BucherUSA | Ag Entrepreneurship
Tim Bucher is the CEO and Co-Founder of Agtonomy, a USA-based company specializing in autonomous agricultural technology. With a background in technology and entrepreneurship, Bucher leads Agtonomy in developing innovative solutions that enhance farm efficiency through autonomous vehicles and robotics. His vision is to revolutionize farming by integrating advanced automation... [ View ] |
Han ChenUSA | AgTech Innovation
Han Chen is the President and CEO of ZeaKal, a USA-based company specializing in agricultural biotechnology. Under Chen’s leadership, ZeaKal focuses on developing innovative technologies to enhance crop yield and resilience. ZeaKal’s flagship technology, which improves photosynthesis efficiency, aims to boost productivity and sustainability in agriculture. Chen brings extensive experience... [ View ] |
Norhaya DemacalingThe Philippines | Sustainable Farming
Norhaya Demacaling is a dedicated agricultural scientist and advocate for sustainable farming practices. With a focus on improving crop productivity and resilience, Demacaling has contributed significantly to research in plant science and environmental management. As a Chief Agriculturalist and Director of Programming for SEED Philippines, her work often involves developing... [ View ] |
Appolinaire DjikengCameroon | Genomics and Livestock
Appolinaire Djikeng is the Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Managing Director of CGIAR's Livestock-Based Systems. Based in Cameroon, Djikeng is a leading expert in livestock research and agricultural development. His leadership focuses on improving livestock productivity, health, and resilience through innovative research and sustainable practices.... [ View ] |
Simon HaldrupThe Netherlands | Climate Fintech
Simon Haldrup is the co-founder and CEO of Agreena, a startup dedicated to facilitating the transition to regenerative agriculture. With a background in finance and health tech, Haldrup shifted his focus to impact-driven work, founding Agreena to help farmers plan, track, and validate soil carbon storage. His leadership has expanded... [ View ] |
Jorge HeraudPeru and USA | Autonomous Farming
Jorge Heraud is a visionary in agtech, best known as the co-founder of Blue River Technologies, acquired by John Deere in 2017. He spent seven years at Deere as VP of Automation and Autonomy, driving innovations like the “See & Spray” technology, which revolutionized weed control. Now, Heraud is a... [ View ] |
Isnawati HidayahIndonesia | Nutrition & Food Security
Isnawati Hidayah is a leading advocate for sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in Indonesia. With expertise in environmental science, she has dedicated her career to promoting eco-friendly farming practices that enhance both productivity and biodiversity. Hidayah works closely with local communities, integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques to support sustainable... [ View ] |
Doreen IrunguKenya | Conservation Agriculture & Women's Empowerment
Doreen Irungu is a pioneering agritech entrepreneur and the founder of Ustawi Afrika. Growing up in rural Kenya, she witnessed her mother and other women farm without land ownership, inspiring her to create a solution to empower female farmers. With over 15 years in women empowerment and a diploma in... [ View ] |
Innoscensia JohnTanzania | Indigenous Crops
Innosencia John is a prominent advocate for sustainable agriculture and youth empowerment in Africa. Known for her leadership in agricultural development, she has mentored and supported young agripreneurs, helping them access resources and develop skills crucial for success in the sector. A strong proponent of gender equality, Innosencia works to... [ View ] |
Pawan KumarIndia | Sustainable Agriculture
Pawan Kumar is a prominent expert in agriculture and sustainable development, recognized for advancing agricultural practices and technologies. His work focuses on improving crop yields, soil health, and resource management to enhance productivity and sustainability. Kumar has contributed to numerous research and development projects aimed at addressing food security and... [ View ] |
Andrew MackUSA | Agriculture Data Platform
Andrew Mack is the CEO and Founder of Agromovil, an award-winning data platform revolutionizing small-scale agriculture by connecting farmers with buyers and supply chains worldwide. Operating in Colombia, Tanzania, and Ghana, Agromovil partners with organizations like USDA, USAID, Toyota Mobility Foundation, and Guinness Breweries to enhance crop sourcing, risk management,... [ View ] |
Samarendu MohantyUSA | Potato Seed Innovation
Samarendu Mohanty is a prominent agricultural economist specializing in international development and rural livelihoods. His research focuses on agricultural productivity, food security, and poverty reduction in developing countries. Mohanty has collaborated with numerous international organizations and research institutions to enhance agricultural systems and improve farmer livelihoods. His work involves analyzing... [ View ] |
Tara NathanCanada | Financial Services
Tara Nathan is the Executive Vice President of Community Pass and Strategic Growth at Mastercard, holding dual citizenship in Canada and the USA. In her role, Nathan leads initiatives to drive Mastercard’s community-focused programs and strategic expansion, focusing on enhancing financial inclusion and digital payment solutions. With extensive experience in... [ View ] |
Chris NelsonUSA | Food Safety
Chris Nelson is the President and CEO of Kemin Industries, a global leader in ingredient manufacturing for animal nutrition, food technologies, human health, and more. With a background in biochemistry, Nelson has expanded Kemin’s reach to over 120 countries, driving innovation that addresses global food security challenges. He has spearheaded... [ View ] |
Paul NewnhamAustralia | Food Security Advocacy
Paul Newnham is a leading advocate for sustainable food systems and the Executive Director of the SDG 2 Advocacy Hub, a UN initiative focused on ending hunger and achieving food security by 2030. He spearheads the Chefs' Manifesto, a global network of chefs committed to aligning their work with the... [ View ] |
Sylvanus OdjoBenin | Food Loss Reduction
Sylvanus Odjo is a post-harvest specialist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Benin. As a dedicated scientist, Odjo focuses on enhancing post-harvest technologies and practices to reduce losses and improve the quality of maize and wheat crops. His work involves developing and implementing innovative methods for... [ View ] |
Giles OldroydUK | Plant Symbiosis
Giles Oldroyd is a distinguished plant scientist and Director of the Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Hub at the University of Cambridge. Renowned for his research on plant-microbe interactions, Oldroyd focuses on enhancing crop resilience and productivity through innovative biotechnological methods. His work aims to improve nutrient uptake efficiency and develop sustainable... [ View ] |
Jehiel OliverUSA | Ag Tech
Jehiel Oliver is the Founder and CEO of Hello Tractor, a pioneering company based in the USA that provides innovative solutions for smallholder farmers. Hello Tractor’s platform connects farmers with tractor owners through a mobile app, enabling efficient and affordable access to mechanized farming services. Oliver’s vision is to enhance... [ View ] |
Priera PanescuUSA | Alternative Proteins
Priera Panescu is a leading expert in sustainable agriculture and environmental management, known for her innovative approaches to enhancing crop production and ecosystem health. With a strong background in agricultural sciences, Panescu focuses on integrating sustainable practices into farming systems to address climate change and resource conservation challenges. Her work... [ View ] |
Janina PeterGermany | Youth Empowerment
Janina Peter is an Innovation Advisor at the World Food Forum (WFF), where she drives forward innovative solutions to global food security and sustainability challenges. She collaborates with diverse stakeholders to support cutting-edge projects and technologies in agriculture. As the Founder and CEO of Bridging Gaps, Peter leads a nonprofit... [ View ] |
Magi RichaniLebanon and USA | Sustainable Proteins
Magi Richani is the founder and CEO of GreenRidge, a company dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. With extensive experience in sustainable development, Richani focuses on integrating innovative technologies and practices to enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Her work supports smallholder farmers and improves food security... [ View ] |
Lisa Shulte-MooreUSA | Conservation Agriculture
Lisa Schulte-Moore is a prominent professor at Iowa State University, specializing in agroecology and landscape management. Her research focuses on integrating ecological principles into agricultural practices to enhance productivity and environmental health. Known for developing the “Working Lands” concept, Schulte-Moore advocates for managing agricultural landscapes to provide ecological benefits while... [ View ] |
Terese Shadrach AkpemNigeria | Animal Science
Akpem Teresa Shadrach is the Founder and CEO of Vet Konect LTD, a pioneering company based in Nigeria that focuses on advancing veterinary services and animal health. With a strong background in veterinary science and business management, Shadrach has led Vet Konect to become a key player in enhancing livestock... [ View ] |
Vijay Singh MeenaIndia | Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Vijay Singh Meena is a Senior Scientist at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute in India. With expertise in agricultural research and soil science, Meena focuses on improving crop productivity and sustainability through innovative research. His work involves studying soil health, water management, and crop management practices to enhance agricultural efficiency and... [ View ] |
Walter SuzaUSA | Plant Breeding
Walter Suza is an adjunct associate professor at Iowa State University, specializing in plant genetics and crop improvement. His research focuses on developing crops with enhanced resistance to diseases and environmental stresses, contributing to agricultural sustainability. Beyond his scientific work, Suza is deeply committed to education and mentoring, particularly in... [ View ] |
Alvian WardhanaIndonesia | Ag Education
Alvian Wardhana is the founder of Literasi Anak Banua, an educational initiative launched in 2018 to improve literacy among children in rural South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Inspired by his experiences as a child from a rural village who faced challenges in the education system, Alvian dedicated himself to bridging the gap... [ View ] |
Jason WargentNew Zealand | UV Agriculture
Jason Wargent is the founder and Chief Science Officer of BioLumic, where he leverages UV light technology to enhance crop performance and sustainability. With a strong background in plant sciences, Wargent's research focuses on how UV light treatments can improve plant growth, yield, and disease resistance. His innovations in photobiology... [ View ] |
Leigh Ann WinowieckiUSA | Soil Health and Restoration
Dr. Leigh Ann Winowiecki is the Soil and Land Health Global Research Lead at CIFOR-ICRAF, based in Nairobi, Kenya. A renowned soil scientist, her work focuses on farmer-centered landscape restoration and soil organic carbon. Since 2009, she has co-developed the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF) implemented in over 40 countries.... [ View ] |
Guoyao WuChina | Livestock Nutrition
Guoyao Wu is a Distinguished Professor of Animal Science at Texas A&M University, renowned for his pioneering research in amino acid metabolism. His work has greatly advanced the understanding of how amino acids affect growth, development, and health in both livestock and humans. Wu’s research spans key areas such as... [ View ] |
Stephen XuUSA | Wheat Research
Stephen Xu is a Research Geneticist at the USDA-ARS Western Regional Research Center in the USA. With expertise in plant genetics and genomics, Xu conducts cutting-edge research to improve crop traits and resilience. His work focuses on developing genetically enhanced crops that are more resistant to diseases, pests, and environmental... [ View ] |
Huaijun ZhouUSA | Poultry Genomics
Huaijun Zhou is a professor of animal science at the University of California, Davis, specializing in genomics and immunogenetics. With multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. from Iowa State University, Zhou's research focuses on enhancing poultry health and productivity. He leads the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Genomics to Improve... [ View ] |