10th Global Agriculture Leadership Awards 2017 Announced

NEW DELHI:
The much awaited 10th Global Agriculture Leadership Awards 2017 have been declared in all the categories. Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President, World Food Prize Foundation has been selected for the International Leadership Award, while Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, chief of African Union agency, NEPAD and former Prime Minister of Niger is selected for African Development Award. Releasing the list, Dr. MJ Khan, chairman, Indian Council of Food and Agriculture said that these two are possibly the most deserving names on the globe for these categories of awards. Ambassador Quinn is the most admired name in the global agriculture community, who single handedly has raised the status of World Food Prizes equal to Noble Prizes and the World Food Summit and Normal Borlaug Global Dialogue that the Ambassador organizes are the most important global events in the world. Amb. Kenneth Quinn besides having served as the US Ambassador to various Latin American countries also played key role in trade and policy and global food security.
Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, as the prime minister of Niger launched many schemes with far reaching implications towards agriculture growth and food security of the nation. He introduced economic reforms and innovative legislative measures that brought out a sizeable Niger population out of poverty. Currently as the chief of African Union agency, NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa Development), Dr. Mayaki is playing critical role in mobilizing global resources and partnerships towards the development of Africa and making it food secure continent. The Global Leadership Award 2017 is conferred upon Dr. Mayaki in recognition of his visionary leadership, deep commitment and inspiring efforts in promoting understanding on issues concerning farmers, food and nutrition security and climate change towards setting policy and growth agenda, which positively touched the lives and livelihoods of millions of millions of people in Africa.
The Policy Leadership Award has been bestowed upon Sh. K Chandrasekhar Rao, Chief Minister of Telengana for his visionary leadership and bold policy decisions of investing huge budget in irrigation and infrastructure projects, which aim to bring about farming prosperity for the State in long run. Research Leadership Award has gone to Prof. Kadambot Siddiqui of Indian origin, who is heading Institute of Agriculture at Western Australia University, Perth for his pioneering achievements in research on pulses and oilseeds. He was also appointed by FAO as Global Ambassador of Pulses for 2016.
Prof. RB Singh, Chancellor, Central Agriculture University, who has served in key positons in India and globally, including heading Asia Pacific Region, as ADG of FAO and Member, National Commission on Farmers. Dr. Singh is among the most recognized faces of agriculture globally. Corporate Leadership Award has gone to Mahindra Agri Solutions Limited for their innovative and diversified business portfolio and farmers reach out programs, which aims at creating complete value chain in key crop segments, benefitting millions of farmers.
Agriculture Leadership Awards were instituted in 2008 under the chairmanship of Prof. MS Swaminathan, Pioneer of India’s Green Revolution to recognise the leadership roles played by individuals and institutions, which are positively impacting the lives of millions of farmers and rural masses around the world. The Awards are presented annually in the areas of Policy, Research, Farming, Industry, Environment, Innovations, Livelihood, Entrepreneurship, CSR, Development and State, Regional and Global Leaderships. The Awards will be presented on Sept 5, 2017 in New Delhi during the 10th Agriculture Leadership Summit.