Above: The 2009 World Food Prize has been given to Dr. Gebisa
Ejeta of Ethiopia, a professor and plant geneticist at Purdue Univ.
(WASHINGTON, D.C., USA) – Dr. Gebisa Ejeta of Ethiopia has been named winner of the $250,000 World Food Prize for his monumental contributions in the production of sorghum, one of the world’s five principal cereal grains, which have dramatically enhanced the food supply of hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was the featured speaker as Dr. Ejeta was announced as the 2009 Laureate at a ceremony at the U.S. State Department on June 11 that also featured Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, World Food Prize President Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, and World Food Prize Chairman John Ruan III, among others.
Dr. Ejeta’s personal journey would lead him from a childhood in a one-room thatched hut in rural Ethiopia to the height of scientific acclaim as a distinguished professor, plant breeder, and geneticist at Purdue University. His work with sorghum, which is a staple in the diet of 500 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa, began in Ethiopia in the 1970s. Working in Sudan in the early 1980s, he developed Hageen Dura-1, the first ever commercial hybrid sorghum in Africa. This hybrid variety was tolerant to drought and out-yielded traditional varieties by up to 150 percent.
Dr. Ejeta next turned his attention to battling the scourge of Striga, a deadly parasitic weed which devastates farmers’ crops and severely limits food availability. Working with a colleague at Purdue University, he discovered the biochemical basis of Striga’s relationship with sorghum, and was able to produce many sorghum varieties resistant to both drought and Striga. In 1994, eight tons of Dr. Ejeta’s drought and Striga-resistant sorghum seeds were distributed to Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Yield increases were as much as four times the yield of local varieties, even in severe drought areas.
“By ridding Africa of the greatest biological impediment to food production, Dr. Ejeta has put himself in the company of some of the greatest researchers and scientists recognized by this award over the past 23 years,” said Vilsack. “The Obama Administration is inspired by the tireless efforts of Dr. Ejeta has demonstrated in the battle to eliminate food insecurity and is committed to employing a comprehensive approach to tackle the scourge of world hunger.”
Dr. Gebisa Ejeta
Dr. Ejeta’s scientific breakthroughs in breeding drought-tolerant and Striga-resistant sorghum have been combined with his persistent efforts to foster economic development and the empowerment of subsistence farmers through the creation of agricultural enterprises in rural Africa. He has led his colleagues in working with national and local authorities and nongovernmental agencies so that smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs can catalyze efforts to improve crop productivity, strengthen nutritional security, increase the value of agricultural products, and boost the profitability of agricultural enterprise – thus fostering profound impacts on lives and livelihoods on broader scale across the African continent.
“Dr. Ejeta’s accomplishments in improving sorghum illustrate what can be achieved when cutting-edge technology and international cooperation in agriculture are used to uplift and empower the world’s most vulnerable people,” added Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, founder of the World Food Prize. “His life is as an inspiration for young scientists around the world.”
The 2009 World Food Prize will be formally presented to Dr. Ejeta at a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol on October 15, 2009. The ceremony will be held as part of the World Food Prize’s 2009 Borlaug Dialogue, which focuses on “Food, Agriculture and National Security in a Globalized World.” Further information about the Laureate Award Ceremony and Symposium can be found at www.worldfoodprize.org.
Clinton Speaks at 2009 World Food Prize Announcement Ceremony
Young Gebisa Ejeta as a grad student at Purdue in 1974
Born in 1950, Gebisa Ejeta grew up in a one-room thatched hut with a
mud floor, in a rural village in west-central Ethiopia.
His mother’s deep belief in education and her struggle to provide her son with access to local teachers and schools provided the young Ejeta with the means to rise out of poverty and hardship. His mother made arrangements for him to attend school in a neighboring town. Walking 20 kilometers every Sunday night to attend school during the week and then back home on Friday, he rapidly ascended through eight grades and passed the national exam qualifying him to enter high school.
Ejeta’s high academic standing earned him financial assistance and entrance to the secondary-level Jimma Agricultural and Technical School, which had been established by Oklahoma State University under the U.S. government’s Point Four Program. After graduating with distinction, Ejeta entered Alemaya College (also established by OSU and supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development) in eastern Ethiopia. He received his bachelor’s degree in plant science in 1973.
In 1973, his college mentor introduced Ejeta to a renowned sorghum researcher, Dr. John Axtell of Purdue University, who invited him to assist in collecting sorghum species from around the country. Dr. Axtell was so impressed with Ejeta that he invited him to become his graduate student at Purdue University. This invitation came at a time when Ethiopia was about to enter a long period of political instability which would keep Ejeta from returning to his home country for nearly 25 years.
Ejeta entered Purdue in 1974, earning his Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics. He later became a faculty member at Purdue, where today he holds a distinguished professorship. Read more at worldfoodprize.org
I am proud of you! Excellent, I have got this message from other scientists who admire you.
I am proud of him
I am very excited to hear about Professor Ejeta’s Award. I hope this work will encourage others to get into educational fields that will change the lives of poor people.
Genius! Keep up the great work and congratulations!
Way to go Prof! Congratulations!
Well done! May God bless you!
professor congratulations. I am proud of you and keep it up and God bless you.
Excellent achievment, Prof. Ejeta! Bravo!!
You have made all Ethiopians proud. I pray that the children of Ethiopia will follow in your footsteps.
GOBEZ YEGNA GEGNA!!!!!!
Here’s to the excellent work you’ve done…Here’s to the fine prize you’ve won. And here’s to the future you’ve done now! Congratulations!
Wow! A wonderful job! An excellent image for Ethiopian scientists. Congratulations! YOU did a great job.
Sir,
I am humbled and inspired by your great achievements. You are an outstanding example of what happens when talent meets determination.
May your light keep shining and your outreach deepened and broadened.
God bless you.
Good job. It gives hope to our people.
good
A true hero. Here is a YT link to hear him speak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD9doMgNA4w
hojii guddaa hojjatte!rabbi siyaagargaaru jabaadhu!
GREAT. Pride of Oromo People
Congratulation !!! Genius son of Ethiopia !!!
Very promising for others to go ahead in research! It is an excellent vision for African, especially Ethiopian scientists! Born for all; work for all; great call for scientists!
I am really proud of you, you had contributed a lot towards the struggle against hunger in Africa. Jabaadhu!!
It’s very great accomplishment and can inspire young researchers in Africa!!!
You are the pride of not only me but also your country and its people. May God bless you!!!
What a wonderful news!! Thanks to God who helped you to succeed. We proud of you! I believe that at least you achieved what you have planned! Sabni kee siin boonaa jira gammadi!
Baayyee si jaallanna!
Great work and very proud of your accomplishments. On behalf of all gluten-intolerant people who can’t eat wheat, rye, or barley, I must also say “Thank God!” for your work on increasing staples such as sorghum. Very grateful!
Tseday
I’m so glad to hear such a great success story! Praise the Lord, again Oromia brought up more hero to the world stage. Young Oromo generation, never give up by the current situation and follow the foot step of our hero prof. Gebisa Ejeta.
Prof. We are proud of you! May God bless you!
Jabbadhaa yaa saba koo! Waaqayyo nu gargaaraatii.
Great success! Congratulations!!
Congratulation Dr Ejeta, I am very proud to hear this news. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Geletoma,
Dear Tadias,
I am overjoyed by Professor Gebisa Ejeta’s winning of the 2009 World Food Prize. Gebisa is a remarkable scientist and wonderful human being. I studied with him at the Alemaya Agricultural College (now Haramaya University) in early 70s. He was one year ahead of me. As students we looked up to him, for he was an exemplary and brilliant student. It is also important to note that Gebisa was the tallest student on Alemaya Campus. He used his height quite effectively by also excelling on the basketball court.
Congratulations Gebisa! This is a wonderful news for all of us.
Ayele
Great Job indeed, Scientist Gebisa Ejeta. My appreciation for what you have done specially for Africa and the poor world.
Congratulations. Determination makes success. I hope your work will soon seen in your native country as well
Yonas, Holland
Congradulations prof.
More to come from you and other young Ethiopians.
Ishoo baga milkoofte!
I am very proud you!
A true Servant of Humanity!! Waka Si ha ebbisuu.
Wow! What an accomplishment,This is a prime example of what Hard work and dedication brings to one who is focused. As a young person growing up in Ethiopia your mother was besides you navigating your path, she deserves this award as well.
It is my prayer that your hard work brings the needed remedy to eradicate hunger throughout the world.
Kedist Geremaw
Washington, DC
Congratulation!!! Well done!!!!!
Oromiyaan baga ilmoo akka kee qabatee Dr.Gabissa jebadhuu rabii sii haa gargaruu
Congratulations! As an Ethiopian, I’m over the moon that you have accomplished this amazing mission. You are an international hero.
Congratulation to Prof. Gabisa Ejeta. We are proud of you!! Keep it up and may GOD bless you and your family!! For other Ethiopian Scientists especially at research center and higher learning institution this may be encouraging.
hey prof. i am proude of you and God bless you!
Baga Waaqayyo si gargaare ! Itti fufui! Abdii uummata keenyaati!
Well done,professor congratulations. I am proud of you.
Congratulations Dr Gebisa! Baga Gammadde!
This is great news for all Ethiopians.
What more can make you proud than a discovery that can help eradicate world hunger! This is science at its best!
Dr Gebisa, I hope you can travel back home and hold lectures at some of the schools and colleges to inspire our young students.
Si haa milkeessu, baay’ee Galatoomi!
I have no words to express my joy for you. I wish u all success.
Nice to hear this news. Congratulations Prof Gebisa!! I hope he and his colleagues will come up again with new findings.
Waw! I have no enough words to express my joy. What joy can people like us want to hear than such news that have profound contribution to eliminating hunger and suffering of the poorest! It is God that helped you reach the success, Glory to His Name!
Congratulations!
You inspire young scientists who aspire to help their nation at most.
I am so proud of you! Keep up the good work. You are going to be an example to my children and my grandkids. God bless you! You are an excellent professor.
-Nunu from cedar falls iowa
Congratulations Professor. We are very proud of You.
Congratulations! Professor Gebisa. Keep up the excellent work.
Great achievement! Hope to African People. God Bless You professor
This is one of the greatest works to initiate young scientists of Ethiopians in general and Oromos in particular to work hard for such a glorious success.
Congratulations Prof. Gebisa !
Great news indeed. This was long overdue considering Prof Ejeta’s long and very productive carrer. Once again congratulations to you Gebisa.
Stephen Mugo
realy, your golden success has made us proud! in particular,ur achievement is a valuable signpost for young oromo (Ethiopians, Africans, Europeans, Americans and all others people of the world) scholars & students of higher educational institutions.waaqayyo ammas dabalee daddabalee siifis ta’e saba keef injifannoo haa gonffachiisu! i promise to repeat ur success,please encourage me! thank u.
Yunbarsittii Finfinnee irraa.
That’s Great! Congratulations Prof. Gebisa! It’s really a commendable task and your effort is Exemplary for African Scientists to eradicate poverty and hunger by conducting researches which address the real problem of their people at grassroots level.
You have made Ethiopia and your family proud. It was not easy but you made it. Prof. Gebisa your genius that is gift from God. Congratulations.
I am very proud of you professor. Keep up the good work. America has given a great chance to a genius. Within the next few years, from all over the world there will be many more Ethiopians and their children that will come forth in support for the betterment of the world. We were raised to serve God and helping all humankind around the world, and improving our earth is a mission we will not take lightly. May God bless America and her people; may God bless Ethiopia and our whole world.
baga nu gammachiifte.baga nu boonsite.
siin boonna.
Congratulation Prof. Gebisa. It is great to arrive at this stage from null. You will be an example for all Ethiopians. You showed us the way and we will follow you.
This emplies to me that there are potential scientists in Ethiopia that bear a lasting solution to poverty in the world especially Africa given conducive working environmnets
Congrats.Proffesor Gebisa. You came up with an amazing finding. Continue ahead.
you left a true, bright, and vissionary line for all Africans to walk a long.
Onneen Afrikootaa siin…..
This is what we as Ethiopian literates are supposed do to pay back to those so poor and innocent people of ours who still live in poverty.
People, it always makes us proud when someone from Ethiopia wins a prestigious prize- especially when it has been hard worked for. But there are other factors at play here. In this case, we the people have a right to know about the food that we are eating, and in this particular case, it is a question of the politics behind GM food. Questions we MUST ask:
1)Is Africa as a whole being pressured by multinational corporations to produce GM foods? If so why?
2)What are the long term effects of eating GM foods?
“Africa is rapidly becoming a focal point for multinational crop and chemical corporations clearing the way for the extended uptake of their products and technologies. In particular, African governments are facing enormous pressure to endorse and adopt genetically modified (GM) crops.”
Bans and restrictions imposed by African countries on GM imports
Algeria introduced a ban on the import, distribution, commercialisation and use of GM plant material in December 2000
Angola introduced a ban on imports of unmilled GM food aid in April 2004
Benin has taken measures to prevent imports of GM food aid, with a moratorium on import of GMOs until national legislation comes into force
Lesotho has permitted the distribution of non-milled GM food aid, with a public warning that the grain should be consumed and not used for cultivation
Malawi has had a ban on importing unmilled GM crops since 2002
Mozambique’s government is prepared to accept GM food aid provided that maize is milled prior to distribution
Namibian government rejected GM maize in 2002 and received wheat for food aid instead
Nigeria’s government prepared to accept GM food aid provided maize is milled prior to distribution
Sudan banned the import of GM food aid during May 2003, but issued a series of temporary waivers under pressure by the US
Swaziland permitted the distribution of non-milled GM food aid, with a public warning that the grain should be consumed and not used for cultivation
Zambia refused to accept GM grain donated as food aid in 2002
Zimbabwe is prepared to accept GM food aid provided the maize is milled prior to distribution [
I am really proud you! It is good news for all. Keep up the great work!
Congratulations!
BAGA GAMMADDE Prof.GABBISAA.! NUUS GAMMACHIIFTTE! SIIN BOONNA! GOOTA AKKANAA QABAACHUU KENYAAN NI BOONNE, NUUF JIRAADHU! Rabbiin si wajjiin haa jiraatu, JABAADHU!!Ammallee Siin Boonna, UMMANNII KEE AMMALLEE SI EEGGATA…
Great man
Thank you for your determination. you are one of the few unique genius mind in the world, that makes me get up in the morning. You truly inspire young minds to work hard and become a positive influence to the world. Congratulation on your success you deserve it. Your mother will be very proud.
God bless you
This is the begining of something good for Ethiopian. we are very fortunate to have you.
Congratulations Dr. Ejeta! This is very inspiring for young Ethiopians looking towards the future! Thank you for honoring him with this article Tadias.
Hello Professor.
Extraordinary! Congratulations for your contribution of this great invention for Ethiopians, Africans and the rest of the world.
Hello Professor, I am very happy and energized by your success in the field of agriculture. Your hard work and success is paving the way for so many us who are living in a foreign land. You are a real role model for me in helping to change the views of many westerners about Ethiopia. Professor keep up your hard work and thank you very much for bringing tremendous change to this world.
Congratulations!!!
Dear Professor, Congradulation. You are a proud to Ethiopia and Africa as a whole.
God bless you more
Good start in fighting poverty and hunger in africa by you.Congra!! Hope to see the fruit of your effort extensivelly on the ground….
Professor Ijeta,
What an extraordinary Accomplishment. At this time of Global food shortage, your discovery will save many destitute people around the globe. May Allah protect you!