Melaku Worede

Ethiopian plant geneticist who revolutionized seed conservation and agro-biodiversity in Africa

Dr. Melaku Worede (1936-2023) stands as Africa's unsung hero in agrobiodiversity preservation. As founder of Africa's first gene bank at Ethiopia's Plant Genetic Resources Center, he pioneered community-based seed conservation when global trends favored industrial monocultures.

His groundbreaking work combined Western genetics with traditional farming knowledge. Unlike typical gene banks locking seeds in vaults, Worede's system involved local farmers in dynamic conservation - continuously adapting seeds through real cultivation. This participatory approach preserved 86,000 indigenous crop varieties while maintaining evolutionary adaptation.

During Ethiopia's 1984 famine, Worede's native durum wheat varieties showed 30% higher yields than international strains in drought conditions. His community seed wealth program became FAO's model for 18 African nations. Despite Nobel recognition eluding him, the 1999 Right Livelihood Award honored his 'exceptional contribution to food security.'