World Food Prize Foundation Recognizes CIMMYT Experts as Agri-Food Pioneers in the 2026 TAP List
23 June 2026, Iowa: The World Food Prize Foundation names CIMMYT’s Seed Systems Lead for Asia, AbduRahman Beshir Issa, as one of its 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP).
The TAP List, introduced by the Foundation in celebration of its anniversary, highlights innovators from around the world who are making groundbreaking contributions to food and agriculture. Working across agriculture, agtech, nutrition, education and advocacy, these pioneers embody the spirit of innovation needed to address the challenges facing global food systems today.
Leading the way: Meet the Top Agri-Food Pioneers of 2026
AbduRahman Beshir Issa, this year’s awardee, brings over two decades of experience advancing agricultural innovation across Africa and Asia. As Seed Systems Lead for CIMMYT Asia, his work focuses on connecting science-driven research with market-responsive delivery, ensuring improved, stress-resilient crop varieties reach smallholder farmers.
His strategic leadership in Pakistan and Nepal has delivered measurable, large-scale outcomes. In Pakistan, he supported collaborative partnerships contributing to the release of more than 15 stress-resilient maize varieties. In Nepal, he played a key role in advancing a hybrid maize seed market system, enabling the country to save nearly $25 million in maize imports by 2025 while creating income opportunities for hundreds of smallholder farmers.
Beshir has also supported the integration of digital innovations, contributing to the adoption of a Digitally Enabled Seed Information System. Across Asia and Africa, he has strengthened seed systems through capacity building, germplasm exchange and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
As part of the growing TAP List, this group of pioneers continues to form a global network dedicated to fostering collaboration and shared learning across food systems. These pioneers will also be featured at the 2026 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa.
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