"A specific, exceptionally significant, individual achievement that advances human development with a demonstrable increase in the quantity, quality, availability of, or access to food"[1]
TheWorld Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world.[3] Conceived byNobel Peace Prize laureateNorman Borlaug and established in 1986 through the support ofGeneral Foods, the prize is envisioned and promoted as theNobel or the highest honors in the field of food and agriculture.[4][5]: 138, 140 It is now administered by the World Food Prize Foundation with support from numerous sponsors.[4][6] Since 1987, the prize has been awarded annually to recognize contributions in any field involved in the world food supply, such as animal science, aquaculture, soil science, water conservation, nutrition, health, plant science, seed science, plant pathology, crop protection, food technology, food safety, policy, research, infrastructure, emergency relief, and poverty alleviation and hunger.[1]
Laureates are honored and officially awarded their prize inDes Moines, Iowa, in an award ceremony held at theIowa State Capitol.[7] Laureates are presented with a diploma, a commemorative sculpture designed bySaul Bass and a monetary award of $500,000.[8][9]
TheIowa State Capitol, where the laureates are honored and officially awarded their prize
The Foundation also has the aim of "inspiring exceptional achievement in assuring adequate food and nutrition for all".[5]: 136 A number of associated events and honors include theBorlaug International Symposium and theNorman Borlaug Field Award, the Iowa Hunger Summit and youth programs such as the Borlaug-Ruan International Internships.[10]: 423 [5]: 138
Norman Borlaug (1914–2009) was awarded theNobel Peace Prize in 1970 for contributions that resulted in the extensive increase in global food production.[5]: 132 Chairman of theNobel CommitteeAase Lionæs gave the rationale that the committee had linked providing much needed food to the world as a path for peace.[5]: 132 Further, the increase in food production has given policy planners across the world more years in figuring out how to feed the growing population.[5]: 132 Twelve years later, Borlaug approached theNobel Foundation to include a prize for food and agriculture. However, the Foundation was bound byAlfred Nobel's will which did not allow for the creation of such a new prize.[5]: 136 Borlaug continued his search for a sponsor elsewhere.[5]: 136
In 1986,General Foods Corporation, under Vice President A. S. Clausi's leadership, agreed to establish the prize and be the founding sponsor.[5]: 137 [11] The amount they agreed to, US$200,000, was equivalent to the value of theNobel Prizes at the time.[5]: 137 [12] In 1990, the sponsorship was undertaken by businessman and philanthropistJohn Ruan and his family who established the World Food Prize Foundation, backed by a US$10 millionendowment. In 2000,Kenneth M. Quinn was made the president.[5]: 137–138 Borlaug, Ruan, and Quinn were all from theUS state ofIowa.[5]: 137–138 Barbara Stinson succeeded Quinn as the second president in 2019.[13][14]
Theformer downtown library inDes Moines, Iowa, was acquired, and the Ruan family gave US$5 million to renovate the building into the headquarters for the World Food Prize Foundation.[15][16] A number of sponsors would go on to contribute over US$20 million in a campaign to transform the building into a public museum, the Hall of Laureates, to honor Borlaug and the work of the World Food Prize laureates.[17] Other sponsors have included over 100 charitable foundations, corporations and individuals, who have helped sustain the prize and the Foundation's associated events.[6][17] The Founder's Boardroom in the Hall of Laureates commemorates 27 individuals who played an important part in the foundation of the prize.[18]
Borlaug was the first chairman of the World Food Prize laureate selection committee.[10]: 423 He appointed the first laureate,M. S. Swaminathan, as his successor in 2009.[10]: 423 Gebisa Ejeta, the 2009 laureate, is the current chairman.[19] Apart from the chairman who is a non-voting member, other members of the selection committee remain anonymous.[5]: 143
On January 24, 2023, the Foundation announced that former Iowa governor and US ambassador to ChinaTerry Branstad would take over as president, replacing outgoing president Barbara Stinson.[20] On March 1, 2025, Governor Branstad retired from his role as president. Former CEO Mashal Husain was named the new president, with former Iowa governor andUnited States secretary of agricultureTom Vilsack taking over as CEO.[21]
For the "single most successful example of biofortification" in the form ofbiofortified orange-fleshedsweet potato that is resistant, tolerant andhigh yielding
For their extraordinary leadership in preserving and protecting the world's heritage of crop biodiversity and mobilizing this critical resource to defend against threats to global food security.
For her extraordinary scientific advancements in biological nitrogen fixation, transforming the sustainability of soil health and crop nutrition for tropical agriculture.
The Foundation has expanded into a number of associated events including the Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium, also known as the World Food Prize Symposium or theBorlaug Dialogue.[10]: 423 [5]: 138 A Youth Institute was established in 1994 to motivate youngsters in agriculture, food, population and connected sciences.[5]: 144–145 Youth Institutes have been set up in 24 states of the United States, and three other countries.[103] based on essays, high school students are selected to take part in the activities of these institutes. Participation in these institutes also makes one eligible for an eight-week internship program.[5]: 144–145
The Borlaug-Ruan International Internship provides high school students an eight-week opportunity for a hands-on experience, working with scientists and policymakers in hunger and nutrition at research centres around the world.[104][105] The internship was founded in 1998 and has funded over 350 Borlaug-Ruan interns who have travelled to 34 agricultural research centres around the world.[104] The Iowa Hunger Summit has taken place during the week of the World Food Prize events since 2007. The event is open to the public and celebrates the role Iowans play in fighting hunger and advancing food security each year.[106]
^Pre-fixes such as "Dr" and "Hon" have been omitted.
^According to worldfoodprize.org, the official website of The World Food Prize Foundation.
^The 2013 award to Chilton, Fraley and Montagu drew criticism from opponents ofgenetically modified crops.[75][76][77][78] In 2014, three people were arrested who protested the World Food Prize in Des Moines.[79]
^"The World Food Prize"(PDF).legis.iowa.gov. Budget Unit Brief FY 2017. Legislative Services Agency, Iowa Legislature.Archived(PDF) from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved3 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^ab"Sponsors".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved5 December 2021.
^"Laureate Award Ceremony".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved5 December 2021.
^"About the Foundation".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved5 December 2021.
^Clausi, A.S. (1 October 2009)."Letters".ift.org.Institute of Food Technologists.Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved5 December 2021.Although the idea of an Agriculture Prize was Norman's, the Food Prize was established by General Foods Corporation under...
^"1992: Knipling and Bushland".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved1 December 2021.
^"1997: Adkisson and Smith".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved6 December 2021.
^"2001: Pinstrup-Andersen".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved2 December 2021.
^"2008: Dole and McGovern".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved3 December 2021.
^"2010: Beckmann and Luck".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved3 December 2021.
^"2018: Haddad and Nabarro".worldfoodprize.org. The World Food Prize Foundation.Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved3 December 2021.
.svg){kind=logo}
_aan_on%2c_Bestanddeelnr_933-7383_(cropped).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
_(cropped).jpg)
India
United States
China
Bangladesh
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Mexico
Denmark
United Nations
Sierra Leone
Brazil
Ethiopia
Ghana
Israel
Belgium
Cape Verde
Uganda
Nigeria
South Africa
Netherlands
Trinidad and Tobago
Canada
Media related toWorld Food Prize at Wikimedia Commons
