Kenyan scientist’s relentless crusade against hunger wins her top award

Dr Florence Wambugu’s work in combating hunger in Africa has been recognised globally for many years.

Her work has not been without controversy but the determined biotechnologist has ploughed on with her mission; to ensure there is food on the table for the poorest of the poor.

The Kenyan scientist has just added another feather in her cap by being announced a joint winner of the 2008 Yara Prize.

The prize, awarded by the Yara Foundation which was established in 2005, is an annual recognition of significant contributions to the reduction of hunger and poverty in Africa as a key contribution to the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals. The other 2008 winner is Mr Victor Mfinanga from Tanzania.

Dr Wambugu, the founder and CEO of Africa Harvest, has been working with rural farmers in Kenya on the banana plant and sweet potato. She has done numerous tissue cultures on both plants, which she says have increased yields.

Established in 2004, Africa Harvest is a biotech foundation that works with food crop farmers at the grassroots level. It has offices in Kenya, South Africa and USA.

To fight hunger

Dr Wambugu chose the biotechnology route for a simple, powerful reason.

“To fight poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Many children could not access education due to poverty and they were going to school on an empty stomach,” she says. “That is why I decided to go the food route, and the banana appealed to me. I managed to culture it into a disease-free species that has vigour and is prolific, as it almost doubled the yields. This I saw as what would get the poor out of poverty due to a sustainable livelihood.”

Dr Wambugu has dedicated the Yara Prize to her late mother, whom she says sacrificed a lot to see her get an education.

The award is worth $100,000 (Sh6.8 million) and an honorary diploma in agriculture.

Dr Wambugu said part of the money would go into her agricultural work because “the farmers are the real winners of this prize!”

At a time when there is a global debate on biotechnology and genetically-modified foods, Dr Wambugu’s work is not without controversy.

She has over the years been pilloried by international campaigners against genetically-modified foods, particularly because of her association with the Monsanto Corporation which provides much of her funding. Some of her research results have also been called into question.

It is for her specific work with farmers on the tissue culture banana that Dr Wambugu is being honoured. But she explained why the farmers also deserve recognition: “Many that have taken up banana farming have really transformed their lives. Some have won themselves respect and admiration from some quarters.”