Three IITA scientists have earned global recognition during a formal recognition ceremony by the World Food Prize Foundation for 40 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) from across six continents whose work is helping transform food systems and advance global food security.
The award ceremony for the Pioneers took place during the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue on October 20–22 in Des Moines, Iowa.
The three scientists, Professor em. Rony Swennen, Professor Chiedozie Egesi, and Dr Alejandro Ortega-Beltran, represent three critical fronts in the fight against hunger and malnutrition: crop improvement, nutrition-sensitive breeding, and food safety. Their recognition highlights the growing global recognition of African-led and Africa-focused agricultural innovations that are improving the lives of millions of farmers and consumers.
Announced by the World Food Prize Foundation on 17 June 2026, the TAP list recognizes individuals “driving bold and innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in global food security.” The 2026 cohort spans 30 countries and reflects a diverse range of expertise, from crop research and nutrition to climate resilience and emerging technologies.
Advancing the future of banana and plantain production
For more than four decades, Professor em. Rony Swennen has been a world leading authority on banana and plantain research and delivery. His work has helped shape modern approaches to breeding, conservation, genetic improvement and impact of some of the world’s most important staple crops.
Prof. Swennen established pioneering banana and plantain research programs at IITA and played a key role in developing disease-resistant hybrids that have helped farmers tackle devastating threats such as Black Sigatoka disease.
He also contributed significantly to the creation and preservation of the global banana germplasm collection and has led efforts to develop climate-resilient and disease-resistant banana varieties for African farmers.
Today, his research continues to bridge advanced genomics, breeding, conservation, and farmer-centered innovation to strengthen the resilience of banana-based farming systems across Africa and beyond.
“Banana has a very rich biodiversity and if TAPped properly this so-called “sterile” polyploid perennial crop can be improved drastically, testimony are the high-yielding varieties developed together with African national programs with yield increases between 60 to 245%. In addition, they can be multiplied by the millions and generate impact as shown by our work in Tanzania. The banana breeding pipeline can now stand proudly next to other root and tuber breeding programs.” – Professor Rony Swennen
Transforming cassava for food and nutrition security
A leading cassava breeder and geneticist, Professor Chiedozie Egesi has dedicated his career to improving one of Africa’s most important food crops. His work has accelerated the development and dissemination of improved cassava varieties, including biofortified pro-vitamin A cassava that addresses both food and nutrition security challenges.
Over the years, Prof. Egesi has led breeding programs that produced numerous improved cassava varieties and helped modernize cassava breeding using advanced biotechnology, genomic tools, and data-driven approaches. His leadership of the NextGen Cassava Breeding Project strengthened breeding capacity across Africa and contributed significantly to the delivery of farmer-preferred varieties with higher yields, improved nutrition, and greater resilience.
As climate change, population growth, and food insecurity place increasing pressure on food systems, cassava remains a strategic crop for millions of households, making his contributions especially significant.
“Having devoted much of my career to cassava research, I have seen firsthand how science can transform this remarkable crop into a powerful force for food and nutrition security, climate resilience, improved livelihoods, and economic prosperity. This TAP recognition is deeply humbling, not just as a personal honor, but as a celebration of the collective efforts of African scientists and a powerful reminder that our research can transform Africa and impact the world.”- Professor Chiedozie Egesi
Making food safer through aflatoxin biocontrol
Food security is not only about producing more food. It is also about ensuring that food is safe. This challenge has been central to the work of Dr Alejandro Ortega-Beltran, whose most of his research and technology-delivery efforts focus on reducing aflatoxin contamination in staple crops.
Aflatoxins, produced by certain Aspergillus fungi, are among the most dangerous naturally occurring compounds, posing serious risks to human health, livestock productivity, agricultural trade, and farmer livelihoods. Dr Ortega-Beltran has played a key role in advancing Aflasafe, a biological control technology that significantly reduces aflatoxin contamination in crops such as maize, groundnut, and sorghum. He leads the design of integrated strategies combining Aflasafe with good agricultural practices, timely harvesting, proper drying, and safe storage, to provide effective and sustainable aflatoxin management. The technology is now commercially deployed across 12 countries through private-public partnerships, helping farmers produce safer food and access higher-value markets.
Dr Ortega-Beltran has also played an important role in building research and regulatory capacity across multiple countries. His recognition underscores the growing importance of food safety as a pillar of food-system transformation and economic development.
“Food safety is part of food security. We have proven solutions to reduce aflatoxin, from biocontrol like Aflasafe to tolerant germplasm, to good practices from field to storage. With strong partnerships and sustained commitment, farmers can produce safer food, earn more, and reach better markets. Receiving the TAP recognition is an encouragement to continue working with partners to scale these proven solutions and address food safety challenges across Africa and beyond.” – Dr Alejandro Ortega-Beltran
A testament to science that delivers impact
The recognition of Prof. Swennen, Prof. Egesi, and Dr Ortega-Beltran reflects the breadth of scientific excellence within IITA and CGIAR, spanning crop improvement, nutrition, resilience, and food safety. Together, their work demonstrates how research can deliver practical solutions that reach farmers’ fields, improve livelihoods, and contribute to a more food-secure future.
As the global community confronts increasingly complex food-system challenges, the achievements of these three scientists serve as a reminder that transformative change often begins with sustained investment in agricultural research, innovation, and partnerships.
Contributed by
Timilehin Osunde, Rony Swennen, Chiedozie Egesi and Alejandro Ortega-Beltran
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