Fikre Abraha

Ethiopian climate scientist pioneering drought-resistant crop innovations

Fikre Abraha is an Ethiopian agricultural scientist whose breakthroughs in crop genetics have revolutionized farming in drought-prone regions. As director of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, he leads a team developing climate-smart crop varieties. His most significant achievement is the creation of the DroughtGuard sorghum strain, which can thrive with 60% less water than traditional varieties.

In 2022, Abraha's team introduced a novel gene-editing technique using CRISPR-Cas9 adapted for tropical crops. This method allows rapid development of heat-resistant varieties, with field trials showing 300% yield increases in Ethiopia's hottest regions. His work has directly benefited 2.3M smallholder farmers across the Horn of Africa.

Abraha's 2023 book Climate-Smart Crops for Africa became a bestseller in agricultural science, translating complex genetics into actionable farming strategies. He co-founded the African Seed Innovation Network in 2021, a collaboration between 15 African countries to share agricultural research.

His recent project involves creating floating farms using solar-powered hydroponics, addressing Ethiopia's shrinking arable land. This innovation was showcased at COP28 in 2023, earning a $5M grant from the Green Climate Fund. Abraha's vision emphasizes 'agriculture with adaptation' - ensuring food security while preserving ecosystems. He currently mentors 50 young African scientists through the NextGen Agriculture Fellowship.