The prestigious Africa Food Prize for 2023 has been conferred upon the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) in recognition of its exceptional leadership in revolutionizing bean farming. The announcement was made by former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete, Chairperson of the Africa Food Prize, during the AGRF2023 gala held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's business capital.
PABRA has consistently displayed unwavering dedication to improving nutrition and food security across Africa by harnessing the potential of beans, a critical source of plant-based proteins and essential micronutrients, including iron and zinc.
The organization's commitment to breeding new bean varieties and making them accessible to farmers across the continent has had a profound impact on countless individuals, particularly in communities grappling with food insecurity and malnutrition.
PABRA's efforts have led to the release of over 650 improved bean varieties, each offering favorable characteristics. These varieties are now cultivated by more than 37 million smallholder farmers in Africa and are consumed by over 300 million people on the continent. As a crop traditionally managed by women, PABRA beans have not only enhanced nutrition and food security but also enabled more families to improve their diets and earn cash income.
The Africa Food Prize recognizes outstanding individuals or institutions annually for their contributions to transforming agriculture on the continent. Former President Kikwete commended PABRA for its exceptional work in enhancing farm productivity, resilience, and competitiveness in Africa.
"PABRA's dedication to bean research and development, along with their remarkable impact on alleviating malnutrition through improved bean varieties and complementary technologies, is commendable. Their work perfectly aligns with the goals of the Africa Food Prize, and I am delighted to announce them as the 2023 laureates," said President Kikwete at the gala event.
The Africa Food Prize, which carries a cash prize of US $100,000, celebrates Africans who are spearheading initiatives and innovations to drive Africa's agriculture agenda forward. It spotlights bold endeavors that can be replicated across the continent to usher in a new era of food security and economic opportunity for all Africans.
Mr. Jean Claude Rubyogo, Global Bean Program Leader at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and PABRA Director, accepted the award on behalf of PABRA. He expressed his gratitude and unwavering dedication to the cause.
"This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire PABRA team, its members, including all the National Research institutes and their governments, implementing partners, funders, and the smallholder farmers we serve," said Mr. Rubyogo.
All nominations for the Africa Food Prize are assessed based on criteria that evaluate a program's contribution to poverty reduction, nutrition security, livelihood improvement through employment, and job creation. The selection process also considers the potential for program scalability, replication, and sustainability.
Mr. Rubyogo noted that winning the 2023 Africa Food Prize is a significant and historic moment for PABRA, coming after celebrating 25 years of bean research and development last year and launching the bean movement to promote beans as a superfood. PABRA's work empowers women throughout the bean value chain, making this recognition a victory for women in agriculture and sustainable food systems.