IITA-CGIAR proudly celebrates the recognition of Dr Regina Kapinga and Dr James Legg, two of the seven recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC). This honor recognizes their outstanding contributions over several decades to research and development, with a focus on tropical root and tuber crops and sustainable seed systems.
The awards were presented during the 20th Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, from 17 to 21 November 2025, organized by the ISTRC secretariat in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) and the Indian Society for Root Crops (ISRC). The ISTRC symposium happens once every three years, aiming to foster, stimulate, and support the sharing of knowledge among scientists on agricultural innovations and technologies aimed at improving tropical root and tuber crops production and utilization among various stakeholders, including researchers, extension services, farming communities, consumers, the private sector, and policymakers.
Dr Legg is a Principal Scientist at IITA who has been instrumental in developing sustainable cassava seed systems, partnering with the national programs, NGOs, and regulatory agencies to establish certified seed standards and support entrepreneurial seed businesses. “In agricultural research for development, success only comes from strong teamwork,” said Dr Legg, “and I am hugely grateful to the wonderful teams with which I have had the privilege to work, particularly our research partners in East Africa and the super set of colleagues within IITA and the broader roots and tubers research community”.
Similarly, Dr Kapinga’s expertise covers tropical root and tuber crops, sustainable seed systems, and nutrition improvement through biofortification across Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, she consults for IITA, supporting the development of a commercialized cassava seed system. “I thank God and the scientific community for this award, which is a confirmation that I have been able to stay in the cause and contribute to the development of these crops,’’ she said, “with so much happening in global research, it is very easy to lose focus on what you stand for.”
Apart from contributing to seed systems, the scientists have had important influences in other research areas; Dr Legg has played a major role in understanding and managing the Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) epidemics throughout large parts of East, Central, and Southern Africa. CMD and CBSD have been two of the most devastating diseases affecting African crop production in recent decades. He has supervised nearly 50 MSc and PhD students and authored 120 scientific publications. Dr Kapinga led the Vitamin A for Africa (VITAA) Initiative, a program aimed at combating vitamin A deficiency through the production and increased utilization of biofortified sweet potatoes in the SSA region. Various countries have officially released more than 15 orange-fleshed varieties through the work of regional breeding programs and other partners across Africa.
Dr Legg and Dr Kapinga’s influences extend beyond research; Dr Legg leads IITA’s Plant and Seed Health for Agriculture (PASHA) group, is the Head of IITA’s Seed Systems Program, and serves as Deputy Director for East Africa.
Dr Kapinga has played a key role in fundraising and management, having led IITA’s Advocacy and Resource Mobilization unit, where she secured over US$30 million in funding. She also managed a grant portfolio of over US$40 million at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the USA, aimed at strengthening root and tuber programs in Africa. In her administrative role, Dr Kapinga has served as Country Representative for Uganda for two CGIAR Centers: IITA and the International Potato Center (CIP).
These awards add to the international recognitions that IITA scientists have achieved in 2025, most significantly including the 2025 Africa Food Prize, which was awarded to Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo. All these recognitions are proof of IITA’s ongoing efforts to transform African agriculture through the development of a sustainable seed system.
Contributed by Gloriana Ndibalema
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