World Food Prize Winner Announced

By Christine White

The 2009 World Food Prize will be awarded to Dr. Gebisa Ejeta of Ethiopia. Financially supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and USAID - Dr. Ejeta developed a drought-tolerant and Striga-resistant sorghum hybrid. The lethal parasitic Striga weed, also known as witchweed, has devastated African crop yields for years. Dr. Ejeta’s scientific breakthroughs in defeating the Striga scourge have made a significant contribution to the productivity of corn hybrids in sub- Saharan Africa.

Dr. Ejeta’s persistent research and his achievement in food production are undoubtedly reputable. But is strict improvement of seed what really needs to be honored? Is another achievement in agricultural science the solution of the day?

What the World Food Prize has failed to consider - once again – are advancements in the food system as a whole. Through out its history, the World Food Prize has recognized contributions to only food science and productivity. Year after year, recipients of what is known as the “Nobel of Agriculture” have been pioneers in technology and genetics. Recipients have included architects of the Green Revolution, and contributors to all things production-oriented. If the contribution is high-yielding and resistant, it gets the vote.

But what about sustainability? What about social and economic change? What about achievements in food availability? Or the innovations of small scale farmers and researchers working on sustainable processes, not products? These are the real contributions to defeating world hunger. These are the real winners. When will the World Food Prize recognize those that help transform – rather than prop-up – our broken food systems?

Dr Ejeta will receive the $250,000 World Food Prize on October 15 at the Iowa State Capitol.