20 June 2026, US: A total of 40 scientists, policymakers, community builders and innovators transforming food systems across the world have been named the 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP), announced today by the World Food Prize Foundation.
Now in its third year, the TAP list honors individuals driving bold and innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in global food security. This year’s awardees span 30 countries and six continents — from Australia to Uzbekistan. The Pioneers range in age from 16 to 81 and represent a diverse mix of expertise from crop and livestock research, child nutrition, natural resources management and methane emissions reductions as well as novel areas like 3D and 4D food printing, AI applications and more.
The 40 Top Agri-food Pioneers also reflect the celebration of the World Food Prize Foundation’s 40th anniversary. All awardees will be formally recognized during the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, taking place October 20–22 in Des Moines, Iowa.
“Amidst the overlapping crises facing our food systems today, stabilizing global food and nutrition security is as urgent as it has ever been,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “The 2026 TAP cohort recognizes innovators who are delivering practical, science-driven solutions across a range of existing and emerging disciplines to build the resilient, sustainable and food secure planet we all deserve.”
Among the awardees are:
Chiedozie Egesi (Nigeria), 55 – a leading cassava breeder whose work has accelerated the development and dissemination of improved cassava varieties across Africa, including pro-vitamin A cassava.
Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg (Kenya), 47 – who has helped build the capacity of hundreds of African agricultural scientists and innovators, particularly women, and whose leadership has expanded investment in climate-resilient agricultural research
Hayden Montgomery (New Zealand), 47 – whose efforts have helped shape practical pathways for methane reductions in livestock and farming systems without compromising on productivity or sustainability
Anandharamakrishnan Chinnaswamy (India), 52 – whose research focuses on food processing, preservation and value addition technologies, improving methods for extending shelf life, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing the quality and safety of processed foods
Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov (Uzbekistan), 51 – Uzbekistan’s Minister of Agriculture and a pioneer in crop genomics now building his country’s genomics research capacity
Uta Paszkowski (Germany), 61 – An internationally recognized plant scientist whose research has transformed understanding of beneficial relationships between crops and soil fungi, providing foundations for reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers while improving nutrient uptake and crop productivity
Donald MacKenzie (Canada), 70 – A global regulatory expert who has led partnerships that deploy improved crop varieties with enhanced nutrition, disease resistance and productivity for smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries
Josselyn Vega (Ecuador), 29 – An emerging leader focused on strengthening local food systems and creating opportunities for more inclusive and resilient agricultural value chains, particularly for younger generations and underserved communities
“This recognition is not a personal accolade but an affirmation that effective deployment of science and innovation and purposeful leadership can transform lives when translated into action,” said 2026 TAP honoree Chiedozie Egesi, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Root Crops Research Institute in Nigeria. “Research achieves its highest purpose when it transforms farms, feeds families and builds nations. It also honors the resilience of African farmers who, against all odds, continue to feed communities, strengthen economies and secure the continent’s future. Food security is not a dream but a deliberate choice.”
The announcement also comes ahead of the World Food Prize Foundation’s DialogueNEXT event taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 30, bringing together food systems stakeholders from around the world to find solutions for global hunger.
Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov | Uzbekistan | Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Uzbekistan
Jeffrey Appiagyei | Ghana | Co-founder and Team Lead, SAYeTECH
Gabriela Del Pilar Burgos Zapata | Peru | Senior Researcher and Head of the Quality and Nutrition Laboratory, International Potato Center
Anandharamakrishnan Chinnaswamy | India | Director, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, India
Chiedozie Egesi | Nigeria | Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria
Fiona Flintan | United Kingdom | Senior Scientist Rangelands and Pastoralism, International Livestock Research Institute
Michael Hands | United Kingdom | Founder and Director, The Inga Foundation
AbduRahman Beshir Issa | Ethiopia | Senior Scientist, Seed Systems Specialist, CIMMYT
Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg | Kenya | Managing Director for Africa, Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Rudrojas Kunvar | United States | Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Evion
Winwin Kyi | Myanmar | President FoSTAM, International Academy of Food Science and Technology
Marco Maccaferri | Italy | Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna
Donald MacKenzie | Canada | Executive Director, Institute for International Crop Improvement (retired)
Steve Mantle | Australia | Owner and Founder, innov8.ag
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