The World Food Prize, founded in 1986, honors the work of great agricultural scientists working to end hunger and improve the food supply and also to highlight and inspire breakthrough achievements in improving the quality, quantity and availability of food in the world, and which is now often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture.” 

The World Food Prize will take place in October 2018 at their headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. This prestigious event, including the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue and the World Food Prize Laureate Award Presentation, is a unique opportunity to showcase how CGIAR science is tackling humanity’s greatest challenges and to create more sustainable food systems.  

CGIAR and the World Food Prize have a long association, including:  

• In 2017, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and former CGIAR researcher, was awarded the World Food Prize
• In 2016, four CGIAR/CIP scientists were awarded the World Food Prize for their work on biofortification 
• In 2014, one CGIAR/CIMMYT scientist was awarded the World Food Prize for his work that led to a prodigious increase in world wheat production 
• In 2001, one CGIAR/IFPRI scientist was awarded the World Food Prize for his contribution to agricultural research, food policy, and uplifting the status of the poor 
• In 2000, two CGIAR/CIMMYT scientists were awarded the World Food Prize for their work on productivity and nutritional content of maize 
• CGIAR scientists from IITA and CIMMYT were awarded the Norman Borlaug Field Award in 2013 and 2014  
• CIMMYT was awarded the Norman Borlaug Field Medallion in 2014

CGIAR will have a strong presence at the World Food Prize this year to celebrate our shared history and to showcase the future of CGIAR research in these five transformative areas: Nutrition, Genomics, Economics, Information and the Environment. In recognition of this year’s theme Rise to the Challenge, CGIAR will participate in: 

1- Tackling Humanity’s Great Challenges – A pathway for research to 2030 – A CGIAR Plenary Session, Borlaug Dialogue

Rise to the Challenge: ‘A pathway for research to 2030’ – how will the global community implement high impact research to respond to humanity’s greatest challenges in: food security, environment, health, climate and jobs. What new strategies are required in agricultural research for development to deliver impact at scale by 2030 and to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? This session will be high level, forward looking and future mapping, defining global research trends and unique contributions and priorities of the agricultural research development agenda over the next 15 years. To deliver impact, what are some of the most promising, future-facing innovations in 5 global transformation areas: Nutrition, Genomics, Economics, Information and the Environment?

Date and time: October 17, 14:10-15:10 PM

Framing and moderation: Mr. Elwyn Grainger-Jones, Executive Director, CGIAR System Organization

Speakers: 

• Dr. Noelle Cockett, President of Utah State University
• Hon. Dan Glickman, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and Vice President and Executive Director, Aspen Institute Congressional Program
• Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Dr. Juergen Voegele, Senior Director, Food and Agriculture Global Practice, World Bank and Chair, CGIAR System Council

2- Reaching millions: The science of scaling – A CGIAR-led side event, Borlaug Dialogue

Transformational solutions are required for the complex challenges facing the global food supply. Agricultural research is an essential component to ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture and will contribute significantly to improvements in health, climate change and sustainability. In this session we will explore, how CGIAR is working with partners to make significant progress in agricultural research and in scaling up innovations to contribute to the SDGs. What are the unique challenges and opportunities in the science of scaling to ensure that improved agricultural practices and technologies are adopted by a large number of users?

Date and time: October 17, 19:30-21:30 PM as part of an evening reception at Downtown Des Moines Marriott – Dubuque Room

Opening and moderation: Dr. Marco Ferroni, Chair, CGIAR System Management Board

Panelists: 

• Dr. Maria Andrade, 2016 World Food Prize Laureate & Sweetpotato Researcher at International Potato Center (CIP)
• Dr. Neal Gutterson, Chief Technology Officer, Corteva Agriscience
• Dr. Marc Schut, Senior Scientist and Country Representative for Rwanda, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

3- Session on Seed Security for Food Security – Corteva Agriscience™ Forum: Enhancing Agriculture for Food Security

Date and time: October 16, 8:30-10:30 AM 

Speaker: Dr. Jean Claude Rubyogo, Seed Systems Specialist, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)

4- Evening reception co-hosted by CGIAR – Corteva Agriscience™ Forum: Enhancing Agriculture for Food Security

Date and time: October 16, 18:00-20:00 PM 

Speaker: Mr. Elwyn Grainger-Jones, Executive Director, CGIAR System Organization

5- CGIAR exhibition booth

Further information is available here.