Nadia Sibanda

Zimbabwean agritech innovator who developed drought-resistant crop varieties that transformed food security in Southern Africa during the 2000s climate crisis.

Nadia Sibanda is a Zimbabwean agricultural scientist and entrepreneur whose work in plant genetics has had a profound impact on food security across Southern Africa. Born in Bulawayo in 1972, she pioneered the development of drought-resistant maize varieties that became vital during Zimbabwe's 1992-2002 famine. Her 2003 breakthrough crop, Golden Ear Maize, increased yield by 40% under drought conditions, saving an estimated 2 million people from starvation.

As founder of African AgriTech Solutions (2005), she created seed banks and training programs that distributed her drought-resistant seeds to 12 countries. Her 2008 invention of the Climate Smart Irrigation System reduced water usage by 60% while maintaining crop yields, earning her the African Union's Innovation Award in 2010.

Key achievements:
- Developed 17 drought-resistant crop varieties including sorghum and millet
- Established the African Women in Agriculture Network (2007)
- Authored the Climate-Resilient Farming Manual used in 15 African nations
- Partnered with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for $15M seed funding

Her story is featured in Seeds of Change: African Agricultural Innovators and The Future of Food in Africa. The documentary Harvest Guardian (2015) details her work in Zimbabwe's rural communities. Sibanda currently leads the UN's Global Food Security Initiative, focusing on climate adaptation strategies. Her TED Talk How to Feed a Warming Africa has over 1.8 million views.