On June 28, 2016, Dr. Howarth Bouis was awarded the 2016 World Food Prize for his pioneering work developing micronutrient-rich crops through biofortification that has been a valuable contribution to ending global hunger and undernutrition. The World Food Prize is the most prominent global award for individuals whose breakthrough achievements alleviate hunger and promote global food security. This year’s award acknowledged the work of biofortification pioneers, including three scientists from the International Potato Center (CIP): Drs. Jan Low, Maria Andrade, and Robert Mwanga.
Dr. Bouis is the founder and director of HarvestPlus, a joint venture of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). HarvestPlus’ mission is a world free from hidden hunger by adding essential micronutrients to the diets of those who are deficient. In the early 1990s, Dr. Bouis pioneered the novel idea of biofortification—a breakthrough achievement that bred critical vitamins and micronutrients into staple crops. His decades-long work has successfully leveraged agriculture for improved nutrition for more than 15 million smallholder farming families in low-income countries. Today, biofortification has gained traction as an effective strategy for delivering essential vitamins and minerals to the largely poor, rural-based households that depend on staple food crops for sustenance.
At the World Food Prize Laureate Announcement Ceremony, United States Agency for International Development Administrator Gayle Smith gave keynote remarks praising the contributions of the laureates, “These four extraordinary World Food Prize Laureates have proven that science matters, and that when matched with dedication, it can change people’s lives.” She added, “USAID and our Feed the Future partners are proud to join with renowned research organizations to support critical advances in global food security and nutrition.”
Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President of the World Food Prize, said of the laureates, “they are truly worthy to be named as the recipients of the award that Dr. Norman E. Borlaug created to be seen as the Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture…The impact of the work of all four winners will be felt around the globe, but particularly in sub Saharan Africa.”
A video, created by HarvestPlus and released in conjunction with the World Food Prize award, experts and leaders in global food and nutrition security applauded Dr. Bouis and HarvetPlus’ accomplishments. The first recipient of the World Food Prize award, M.S. Swaminathan, shared a message for Dr. Bouis. He said, “Thank you for what you have done to another neglected field in both the area of nutrition and the area of agriculture. You have awakened knowledge and information, and have harnessed the power of this [biofortification] technology. So, thank you very much for what you have done and for the leadership you have provided.” In addition, Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, shared that “Biofortified crops are going to be game-changers for dealing with the issue of malnutrition in our world today. And I would like to particularly commend HarvestPlus for the tremendous job it has done.”
Indeed, this prestigious award brings recognition to Dr. Bouis’ 25 years of groundbreaking work in expanding the impact of biofortification. Moving forward, the idea he nurtured and translated into a global movement will continue to strive to free the world of hidden hunger. HarvestPlus is focused and is confident that it can reach 1 billion people with biofortified foods by 2030.
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