World Academy of Agricultural Sciences Honors Three International Agricultural Legends with Lifetime Achievement Award

To recognize the exceptional contributions of senior agricultural scientists worldwide who have dedicated their careers to agricultural research, safeguarded global food security, and advanced the innovation and transformation of global agricultural science and technology, and to promote a spirit of rigorous scholarship, truth-seeking, and public service, World Academy of Agricultural Sciences has launched its first International Agricultural Lifetime Achievement Award selection process. The official announcement is as follows:

Selection Principles and Recipients

This recognition is governed by the principles of academic fairness, compliance, rigor, and voluntary participation. The award selection targets senior scientists around the world who have made long-standing contributions to agricultural research, produced groundbreaking and historically significant achievements, and earned international recognition within the scientific community. Following review by the Academic Committee and a vote by the Board of Directors of World Academy of Agricultural Sciences, three distinguished international agricultural leaders — Gurdev S. Khush (India), Ravi Prakash Singh (India), and Huub Lelieveld (Netherlands) — have been formally awarded the "International Agricultural Lifetime Achievement Award" of World Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In accordance with relevant regulations, the three experts will also concurrently serve as Lifetime Honorary Presidents of World Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Three Pillars of Agricultural Excellence

The three selected experts have dedicated their careers to three core fields: rice genetic improvement, wheat germplasm innovation, and global food safety. Each possesses decades of research experience, and their academic contributions are foundational, transformative, and globally relevant, covering the full spectrum of food production, crop variety improvement, and food security governance.

Dr. Gurdev S. Khush — Pioneer of Rice Genetic Improvement

Dr. Gurdev S. Khush is a world-renowned plant geneticist and former Chief Breeder at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Throughout his career, he has contributed to rice improvement within the Green Revolution, developing numerous high-yielding and disease-resistant rice varieties that have made landmark contributions to food security in Asia and beyond. He has been elected to the academies of sciences of multiple countries, including as a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Ravi Prakash Singh — Champion of Wheat Germplasm Innovation

Dr. Ravi Prakash Singh is an Emeritus Scientist and Senior Advisor at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), where he previously served as Head of the Global Wheat Improvement Program. He has directly participated in the development of 798 wheat varieties that have been released in 50 countries worldwide, including 357 varieties developed under his leadership. His work has addressed global food security challenges through core germplasm innovation and has supported agricultural poverty reduction and income growth in developing countries. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri Award from the Government of India and the 2021 BGRI Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Huub Lelieveld — Global Leader in Food Safety

Dr. Huub Lelieveld is a leading global food safety scientist and founder of the Global Harmonization Initiative (GHI). After 40 years of food safety research at Unilever, he established the Global Harmonization Initiative, bringing together approximately 2,000 volunteer experts to help 113 countries develop science-based food safety regulations. His work prevents millions of cases of foodborne illness each year and removes barriers to agricultural trade and humanitarian aid. He was awarded the World Food Prize in 2026.

A Legacy of Service to Humanity

The three experts have served in agricultural research and public service throughout their professional lives. With exceptional academic distinction and a commitment to serving humanity, they have advanced global agricultural science and technology, made irreplaceable historical contributions to world food security, agricultural governance, and the high-quality development of modern agriculture, and set an outstanding example for the global agricultural scientific community.

Voluntary Consent and Academic Freedom

To fully respect academic freedom and the personal will of the experts, and to uphold the principles of compliant and ethical scholarship, World Academy of Agricultural Sciences solemnly declares that the granting of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the appointment as Lifetime Honorary President are based entirely on voluntary consent, with no mandatory obligations. The three invited experts retain full autonomy to accept or decline this honor and appointment. Regardless of their decision, no legal risk, academic dispute, or negative impact on their reputation will arise. The entire community of World Academy of Agricultural Sciences highly respects and sincerely recognizes the three experts for their noble academic character, profound professional experience, and extraordinary global contributions.

The Highest Academic Honor

The Lifetime Honorary President is the highest academic honorary position established by World Academy of Agricultural Sciences. It is a purely honorary appointment with no administrative performance obligations, no work evaluation requirements, and no binding rights or responsibilities. Experts who accept the honor will lifelong enjoy exclusive access to high-end academic exchanges, scientific research resource sharing, and invitations to international summits. World Academy of Agricultural Sciences will permanently record and disseminate their research achievements and contributions, ensuring that their pioneering spirit in agricultural science is carried forward and benefits the world.

Looking Ahead

The core mission of World Academy of Agricultural Sciences is to promote global agricultural scientific and technological progress, safeguard world food security, and advance sustainable agricultural development. In the future, the Academy will continue to honor global agricultural pioneers, integrate top international expertise, build an open, shared, and win-win international agricultural academic platform, and deepen global agricultural research cooperation. Through scientific and technological innovation, the Academy will support the high-quality development of modern agriculture and contribute to strengthening global food security and promoting the modernization of world agriculture.

Announced on this 25th day of August, 2026.

World Academy of Agricultural Sciences