Lindiwe Sibanda

South African food security advocate driving agricultural innovation across Africa

Lindiwe Majele Sibanda is a visionary agricultural economist and founder of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN). Born in 1968 in South Africa, she pioneered policies that transformed African agriculture through her work in rural development and gender equality.

Sibanda's groundbreaking 2003 study revealed how smallholder farmers could triple yields through improved seed varieties and micro-irrigation techniques. This research formed the basis of the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Her organization FANRPAN has trained over 15,000 farmers in climate-smart practices, establishing model farms in 12 countries including Zambia and Kenya.

In 2015, Sibanda launched the Africa Food Security Initiative, which developed drought-resistant maize varieties distributed to 200,000 households. Her work with the UN FAO helped secure $4 billion in climate adaptation funding for African nations. Key innovations include:

• Mobile app platforms connecting farmers to markets
• Gender equity programs increasing women's land ownership
• Climate resilience training for youth