{"id":18241,"date":"2026-06-20T13:03:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/iita-cgiar-scientist-named-one-of-africa-food-prize-2025-laureates-for-breakthrough-in-cassava-and-yam-seed-systems\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:51:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:51:06","slug":"iita-cgiar-scientist-named-one-of-africa-food-prize-2025-laureates-for-breakthrough-in-cassava-and-yam-seed-systems","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-cgiar-scientist-named-one-of-africa-food-prize-2025-laureates-for-breakthrough-in-cassava-and-yam-seed-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"IITA-CGIAR scientist named one of Africa Food Prize 2025 laureates for breakthrough in cassava and yam seed systems"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ibadan, Nigeria \u2013 <\/strong>IITA<\/a>\u2013CGIAR<\/a> proudly celebrates the recognition of Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo<\/a> as one of the 2025 Africa Food Prize Laureates, honoring her outstanding contributions to advancing Africa\u2019s agricultural transformation through the widespread promotion of a novel node culture technology for cassava and yam called Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dr
Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Diebiru-Ojo\u2019s work is shaping a new frontier in rapid crop multiplication, transforming SAH from a scientific breakthrough into a scalable enterprise model that directly benefits farmers and seed entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa. The technology accelerates the production of clean, disease-free planting materials, ensuring that improved varieties of cassava and yam\u2014two crops that feed hundreds of millions of Africans\u2014reach farmers faster and more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through her leadership, SAH has transitioned beyond research to practical application, supporting the development of stronger seed systems in multiple countries. This achievement is not only boosting agricultural productivity but also creating opportunities for youth and women agripreneurs, strengthening food security, and opening new pathways for sustainable livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo\u2019s recognition as a recipient of the Africa Food Prize underscores the power of African-led science to deliver practical solutions,\u201d said Dr Sim\u00e9on Ehui<\/a>, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa. \u201cHer work in SAH demonstrates how cutting-edge research, when scaled, can drive real transformation in the lives of farmers, enhance resilience in our food systems, and secure Africa\u2019s agricultural future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Africa Food Prize, awarded annually, is the continent\u2019s most prestigious recognition of individuals and institutions leading efforts to transform African agriculture. By spotlighting innovations that create lasting impact, the Prize highlights the vision, dedication, and creativity required to address Africa\u2019s urgent food security challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dr
Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on the award, Dr Diebiru-Ojo said \u201cThis award is not the end, it is a beginning. A call to action. A reminder that much remains to be done if we are to achieve a food-secure Africa. I accept it not as a symbol of fulfillment, but as fuel to work even harder for the opportunities ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Diebiru-Ojo\u2019s selection affirms her role as a trailblazer in agricultural science and enterprise development, bridging the gap between laboratory research and farmers\u2019 fields. Her success in scaling out the SAH node culture technology sets a new standard for how scientific discoveries can be translated into solutions that scale across Africa, helping the continent feed itself and contribute to global food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00c0 propos de l'IITA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Le Institut International d'Agriculture Tropicale (IIAT)<\/strong> is a non-profit research-for-development organization that works across Africa to improve food security, increase agricultural productivity, create employment and wealth, and enhance the resilience of natural resources. Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Ibadan, Nigeria, IITA is a member of the CGIAR, the global research partnership for a food-secure future. Through research, partnerships, and innovations, IITA addresses the challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation, contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IITA-CGIAR proudly celebrates the recognition of Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo as one of the 2025 Africa Food Prize Laureates, honoring her outstanding contributions to advancing Africa\u2019s agricultural transformation through the widespread promotion of a novel node culture technology for cassava and yam called Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH).<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":18242,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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