Dr. Maria Isabel Andrade, International Potato Center (CIP) Senior Sweetpotato Breeder, and 2016 World Food Prize co-winner has been awarded the M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection. Dr. Andrade received the award on 8th August in Chennai, southern India during an award ceremony organized by the the Rotary Club of Madras East (RCME) and graced by Dr. Swaminathan, founder-chairman of the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). The award is a recognition of her seminal role played as a development economist and agricultural development expert over three decades of work.
“ I am extremely happy that the RCME has honored me. I feel very special to have been considered for this prestigious award”, said Dr. Andrade on the receiving the award.
A statement from RCME reads “Dr. Andrade’s dedication and hard work has contributed to the development of root and tuber crops in Africa impacting millions of farmers. She has provided leadership to the Mozambican national root crops program and created a seminal impact in identifying, developing and implementing research and development projects. Her leadership at the Sweet potato Action for Security and Health in Africa (SASHA) Southern Platform bringing together sweetpotato breeders from various African countries had served to heighten visibility and impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her contribution has been globally recognized through the conferment of the 2016 World Food Prize among several awards.”
Last year, the award was presented to the then president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Dr. Kanayo F. Nwanze. Past awardees include: Reva Electric Car Company who had the vision to bring in electric cars with zero emissions; Prof Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, an extraordinary world environmentalist; Dr. Ismail Seragaldin, Former Vice President for Sustainable Development at The World Bank, among others.
Prior to receiving the award, Dr. Andrade gave a keynote address during a thematic session: evidences of farming system for nutrition from across the globe during the International Conference on Farming System for Nutrition organized by MSSRF from 7 – 9 August in Chennai. Her presentation was based on lessons from her Orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) work in Mozambique and sub Saharan Africa in general. Her presentation is accessible here.
Earlier awards for Dr. Andrade and OFSP
In March 2017, Dr. Andrade received a special award from the International Society of Tropical Root Crops-Africa Branch (ISTRC-AB) for her outstanding contribution to the development of root and tuber crops in Africa. Read more: Sweetpotato breeder Andrade honored for contribution to root and tuber crops development in Africa
CIP’s OFSP program in Africa continues to receive recognition for its role in improving the nutrition of hundreds of thousands of children as well as food security for the entire family. Apart from the 2016 WFP, the team received the Al-Sumait Food Security prize for bringing the nutritional benefits of Vitamin A OFSP to an estimated nearly 2 million households in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. Read more: 2016 Al-Sumait Food Security Prize awarded to CIP Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato
Media reports on M.S Swaminathan award
See reports about the 2017 Swaminathan by the media in India:
- Chennaiyil: Cultivating Sweet Potato wins accolades and Award for “Dr. Maria Isabel Andrade”
- Video: Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection 2017
- The Times of India: Agri-scientist Maria Andrade receives M S Swaminathan award
- Web India: Greater attention required for Nutrition: Experts at Agriculture Conference
- The Hindu: Killing hunger in Africa with sweet potatoes
- Tamil Nadu Central: MSSRF – TATA conference on Nutrition
About Rotary Club of Madras East
Rotary Club of Madras East is one of the largest Rotary Chapters in Chennai with a membership of about 150 Rotarians from various walks of life. The club has a a track record of execution of long term sustainable projects which are socially relevant and benefit the community. Notable and distinguished citizens of India like Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Dr.K.V.Thiruvengadam , Dr. Padma Subramaniam as honorary members of the club.
About the Award
Rotary Club of Madras East recognizes the efforts and dedication of those who have displayed a great sense of commitment to protecting the environment and helping the society. In recognition of the distinguished contribution that Dr. M.S. Swaminathan has rendered in this area, we RCME instituted an annual award in his honour. Apart from several social causes and path breaking initiatives that RCME has championed, the conferment of the M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection is an annual event which is looked forward to by the RCME fraternity. The Club has recognized various noteworthy individuals and organisations with this eponymous award in the past 20 years. The club has been partnered in the issuance of this award in the past few years by CavinKare, headed by its Chairman Mr. C. K. Ranganathan, a leading manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods in the fashion and food sectors.