Adebayo Adelaja

Nigerian agricultural scientist who developed high-yield rice varieties, revolutionizing African farming.

Dr. Adebayo Adelaja, a Nigerian agricultural scientist born in 1952, is renowned for pioneering the development of high-yield rice varieties that transformed African agriculture. His work began in the 1970s when he joined the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), focusing on improving rice productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. By crossbreeding local and imported rice strains, he created cultivars like the 'NERICA' series, which doubled yields while resisting pests and drought. These innovations directly addressed food insecurity, benefiting over 20 million farmers across 22 African countries by 2000. His research was highlighted in the UN FAO report as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture.

Adelaja’s methods emphasized community engagement, training farmers in seed selection and organic pest control. His partnership with organizations like the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) expanded access to improved seeds. Despite criticism over genetic modification debates, his legacy persists through initiatives like the African Rice Center (AfricaRice), where he served as director from 1994–2004. His work earned him the World Food Prize nomination in 1999, underscoring his global impact.