AFP winner Hon Prof Ruth |
Hon
Professor Ruth Oniang’o, Chair of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) and
Sasakawa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE), has been awarded the 2017 Africa
Food Prize, in recognition of her role as a leading voice on nutrition in
Africa.
The prize recognises the best examples of those using agriculture to
transform people’s lives and stimulate economic development, and this year
received over 600 nominees. The prize was awarded on the third day of the
seventh African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), which is taking place in Abidjan, Côte
d’Ivoire, from 4 to 8 of September.
Speaking about
her achievement, Professor Oniang’o said, “I am humbled to receive this Prize
and believe it highlights the work we have done and more importantly, it will
contribute towards shaping our continent’s food future. With the Sasakawa
Africa Association, our focus is on not just increasing food production, but
increasing the capacity of smallholder farmers to add value through
agro-processing, reduce losses with improved postharvest techniques, and
increasing access to markets to encourage farming as a sustainable business.
This holistic approach to agriculture, with an emphasis on nutrition, will
stand Africa’s smallholder farmers in good stead for generations to come”.
Ruth Oniang’o
will share the award with Malian agriculture entrepreneur, MME Maïmouna Sidibe
Coulibaly, who was also recognised for her work in producing and supplying high
yielding seed in Mali and other West African countries.
Following the
award ceremony, Yoshimasa Kanayama, President of the Sasakawa Africa
Association, added his congratulations. “I am delighted that Ruth’s tireless
work on nutrition in agriculture has been recognised by such a prestigious
organisation. Her contribution to our mission of empowering smallholder farmers
across Africa is invaluable, and I know I speak on behalf of everyone at SAA when
I say that her award is well deserved”.
A former Member
of Parliament in Kenya, Professor Ruth Oniang’o is also an academic, scientist
and nutritionist. She spearheaded the completion of Kenya’s food and nutrition
policy, facilitated the establishment of nutrition departments in Africa, and
has given a voice to these issues internationally. She also founded the African
Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development to highlight African
issues to a wider audience. Prior to being awarded the Africa Food Prize, she
received the 2014 International Food and Management Association (IFAMA)
lifetime award.
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