Nominations have opened for the 2017 Africa Food Prize, a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding individuals or institutions leading the effort to change the reality of farming in Africa from a struggle to survive to a business that thrives.
The $100,000 prize celebrates Africans who are taking control of the agriculture agenda, highlighting initiatives and technical innovations that can be replicated across the continent to create a new era of food security and economic opportunity for all Africans.
The inaugural prize in 2016 was awarded to International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) Kanayo F. Nwanze, for his leadership and passionate advocacy of smallholder farmers. As IFAD president, he redirected the organization’s work to focus more on making small-scale farming a viable business through a country-led approach to rural development.
This year’s winner will be honored at a gala dinner at the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), 4-8 September 2017 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire by Former President of Nigeria, H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo, chair of the Africa Food Prize Committee.
“You do not have to be the head of a global organisation to be awarded. You just need to be dedicated to African agriculture, be deeply convinced of its transformative power for economies and families, and have made a significant contribution towards realising this dream,” said Nwanze.
To nominate and for more information about the Prize, please visit the Africa Food Prize website.
Nominations close on Monday 5 June 2017.