The International Potato Center salutes the 2016 World Food Prize Laureates Drs. Jan Low, Maria Andrade, and Robert Mwanga of the International Potato Center (CIP) and Howarth Bouis of Harvest Plus for their work on biofortified crops to reduce hidden hunger and specifically vitamin A deficiency (VAD), one of the most pernicious forms of undernourishment in the developing world.

 

Vitamin A deficiency causes blindness, limits growth, weakens immunity, and increases mortality. Afflicting over 140 million preschool children in 118 countries and more than seven million pregnant women, it is the leading cause of child blindness in developing countries. Between 250,000 and 500,000 vitamin A-deficient children go blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight. VAD also weakens the immune system in under-fives, increasing their risk of dying from diarrhea, measles and malaria by 20–24 percent.

 

The CIP and HarvestPlus team set out to prove that the local people in Sub-Saharan Africa would accept biofortified Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) into their diets, that vitamin A deficiency could be prevented by eating it, and that countries would adopt it. In this they have succeeded. Biofortified sweetpotato is firmly on the menu of 14 countries in Africa and contributing to saving the eyesight and improving the nutrition of hundreds of thousands of children and food security of the entire family.

Laureates

Achievement Jan Low

United States of America

Dr. Low’s advocacy work under the Sweetpotato for Profit and Health Initiative (SPHI) has changed the image of sweetpotato as a crop of poor women to a healthy food for all. The ground-breaking two-year proof-of-concept study conducted by...

Achievement Maria Andrade

Cape Verde

Mozambique-based Maria Andrade began working on OFSP varietal selection when she released nine varieties selected from materials introduced from several countries in ..…

Achievement Robert Mwanga

Uganda

Starting in 2002, Robert Mwanga successfully developed 14 new varieties of OFSP, including a variety that combined high dry matter content, high resistance to viruses and ...

acknowledgEments

Supporters of CIP's OFSP Work 2000-2015

  • AfDB: African Development Bank
  • Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
  • ASARECA: Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
  • Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
  • AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • FARA Africa: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
  • Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Generation Challenge Program
  • Global Crop Diversity Trust (GCDT)
  • Government of Austria
  • Government of Belgium
  • Government of Mozambique
  • Government of Peru
  • GIZ with the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic, Cooperation and Development, Germany
  • GIZ on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Government of Italy
  • Government of Japan
  • Government of ODISHA
  • HarvestPlus
  • Helen Keller International
  • Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, and, Ireland's Bilateral Aid Programme (Irish Aid)
  • Natural Resouces Institute (NRI) UK
  • North Carolina State University
  • Rockefeller Foundation
  • Southern African Development Community (SADC)
  • The Buffett Foundation
  • The Kilimo Trust
  • The Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • United States Agency for International Development (USAID)





CIP is the lead center for the CGIAR Research Program (CRP) on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), and CIP’s work related to orange sweetpotato is part of the deliverables of this program and a contribution to the achievement of the CGIAR goals in terms of poverty reduction, enhanced nutrition and food security and natural resources management, which contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
International Potato Center
World food Prize 2016

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Media Coverage

New York Times - “Sweet Potato Experts Win World Food Prize” June 28, 2016.
http://news.trust.org/item/20160628194502-vcc06

Washington Post - “Developers of fortified food staple awarded World Food Prize” June 28, 2016.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/developers-of-fortified-food-staple-awarded-world-food-prize/2016/06/28/879c4f78-3d44-11e6-9e16-4cf01a41decb_story.html

National Geographic - “World Food Prize Winners: Why Sweet Potato Color Matters” by Tracie McMillan. June 28, 2016.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the-plate/2016/06/world-food-prize--why-sweet-potato-color-matters/

NPR - “How The Humble Orange Sweet Potato Won Researchers The World Food Prize” by Dan Charles.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/06/28/483905280/how-the-humble-orange-sweet-potato-won-researchers-the-world-food-prize

ABC News - “Developers of Fortified Food Staple Awarded World Food Prize” June 28, 2016. 
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/developers-fortified-food-staple-awarded-world-food-prize-40187916

Reuters USA - “Sweet Potato Experts Win World Food Prize” by Isma’il Kushkush. June 28, 2016.
http://news.trust.org/item/20160628194502-vcc06

Daily Mail - “Developers of fortified food staple awarded World Food Prize” June 28, 2016.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/developers-of-fortified-food-staple-awarded-world-food-prize/2016/06/28/879c4f78-3d44-11e6-9e16-4cf01a41decb_story.html

CNBC Africa - “Sweet Potato Experts Win World Food Prize” June 28, 2016.
http://news.trust.org/item/20160628194502-vcc06

Des Moines Register - “10 Photos: 2016 World Food Prize Winners Announced” June 28, 2016.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/picture-gallery/money/2016/06/28/10-photos-2016-world-food-prize-winners-announced/86466876/

Des Moines Register - “World Food Prize Winners Turn Food into Medicine” June 28, 2016. 
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2016/06/28/thursday-june-30-2016-presto-86457980-newsgate-finney-odonnells-summary-how-family-golf-tournament-started-22-years-ago-became-charitable-event-raised-more-than-1-million-local-charities-art-submitted-photos-sig-saturday-july-2-2016-presto-86457984/86427428/





FT: This is Africa:
 Let Food Fuel Africa's Developmenthttp://www.thisisafricaonline.com/News/Let-food-fuel-Africa-s-economic-development
Thomson Reuters: How we saved climate-smart seeds from the conflict in Syria  http://news.trust.org/item/20161012124241-762b9
Financial Times: Agricultural growth in emerging markets is falling short of global goalshttps://www.ft.com/beyondbrics
BBC News: Sweet potato Vitamin A research wins World Food Prizehttp://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37619154
Reuters: Private sector seed distribution vital for food security, World Food Prize delegates sayhttp://news.trust.org//item/20161012163246-e0yd2/
All Africa: Holding Back Women in Science Puts Brakes on Developmenthttp://allafrica.com/stories/201610140584.html
Huffington Post: A Breakthrough Year for Biofortification  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howarth-bouis/a-breakthrough-year-for-b_b_12490056.html

Iowa:
Des Moines Register: World Food Prize grows tall in 30 years    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2016/10/07/world-food-prize-grows-tall-30-years/91537122/
Des Moines Register: International speakers slated for World Food Prize   http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2016/10/09/international-speakers-slated-30th-world-food-prize/91828396/
Des Moines Register: Borlaug's dream is within reach in Africa   http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/2016/10/11/borlaugs-dream-within-reach-africa/91894470/
Des Moines Register: The view from Iowa: The fight against hunger needs all of us  http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/2016/10/12/view-iowa-fight-against-hunger-needs-all-us/91925100/
Iowa Public Radio: In Historic Move, World Food Prize Honors a Four-Laureate Team    http://iowapublicradio.org/post/historic-move-world-food-prize-honors-four-laureate-team#stream/0
Iowa Public Radio: World Bank Leader Says Investing In Children Is Critical For All    http://iowapublicradio.org/post/world-bank-leader-says-investing-children-critical-all#stream/0
Radio Iowa: Four to receive 2016 World Food Prize    http://www.radioiowa.com/2016/10/13/four-to-receive-2016-world-food-prize/
Des Moines Register: Private-sector investment is key to combating hunger and climate change   http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/2016/10/14/private-sector-investment-key-combating-hunger-and-climate-change/92036286/
Des Moines Register: Bayer, Monsanto argue that merger will benefit Iowa farmers   http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2016/10/13/bayer-monsanto-argue-merger-benefit-iowa-farmers/91997202/
WHO TV: Food Prize goes to biofortification    http://whotv.com/2016/10/17/food-prize-goes-to-biofortification/
Additional Coverage:
DuPont: Amb. Quinn: Race to Food Security Requires Research-Driven Innovations   http://foodsecurity.dupont.com/2016/10/10/amb-quinn-race-to-food-security-requires-research-driven-innovations/
Iowa Farm Bureau: Iowa farmers honor World Food Prize Week by embracing innovation, diversity to bring more food choices to hungry Iowans    https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/Article/Iowa-farmers-honor-World-Food-Prize-Week-by-embracing-innovation-diversity-to-bring-more-food-choices-to-hungry-Iowans
Capital Public Radio: World Food Prize Laureate Digs Into Food Security  http://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2016/10/11/insight-101116c/
Daily Iowegian: Borlaug Fall Seminar Monday, Oct. 17  http://www.dailyiowegian.com/news/local_news/borlaug-fall-seminar-monday-oct/article_60877c4d-9bb1-58b0-8503-d6817ae4ec8f.html
World News: World Food Prize Winner to Speak at DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College)   https://article.wn.com/view/2016/10/11/World_Food_Prize_Winner_to_Speak_at_DMACC_Des_Moines_Area_Co/
Maxwell School: Syracuse University: Bertini gives World Food Day Lecture at UC Davis    https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/news.aspx?id=152471342649
Chillwall: World Food Prize Breakfast    https://chillwall.com/events/world-food-prize-breakfast-terrrace-hill-8196047
Ames Tribune: World Food Prize Laureates gather for ISU lecture    http://www.amestrib.com/news/20161010/world-food-prize-laureates-gather-for-isu-lecture
Environment Guru: Purdue launches postharvest initiative at World Food Prize meeting   http://www.environmentguru.com/pages/elements/element.aspx?id=4048333
Farming First: Kenneth M. Quinn: 30 Heroes for 30 Years of the World Food Prize    https://farmingfirst.org/2016/10/kenneth-m-quinn-30-heroes-for-30-years-of-the-world-food-prize/
Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition: The Global Panel discusses its new Report at this year’s World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium  http://www.glopan.org/news/global-panel-discusses-its-new-report-year%E2%80%99s-world-food-prize-borlaug-dialogue-international
World Food Center: UC Davis students awarded top prizes for World Food Day Video Challenge   http://worldfoodcenter.ucdavis.edu/nutrition/uc-davis-teams-awarded-top-prizes.html
Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network: World Food Prize’s Borlaug Dialogue begins Wednesday   http://www.iowaagribusinessradionetwork.com/world-food-prizes-borlaug-dialogue-begins-wednesday/
DMACC: World Food Prize Winner to Speak at DMACC    https://www.dmacc.edu/news/Pages/20161010.aspx

Farm Futures: No-till farmer from Argentina wins Kleckner Award    http://farmfutures.com/story-till-farmer-argentina-wins-kleckner-award-0-147809
University of California: Rising to the challenge: World Food Day video prizes awarded  http://universityofcalifornia.edu/news/rising-challenge-world-food-day-video-prizes-awarded
Pork Network: Iowa soybean farmers talk about sustainability during World Food Prize week   http://www.porknetwork.com/news/iowa-soybean-farmers-talk-about-sustainability-during-world-food-prize-week
Purdue University: Purdue launches postharvest initiative at World Food Prize meeting   http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2016/Q4/purdue-launches-postharvest-initiative-at-world-food-prize-meeting.html
Quality Assurance Mag: Purdue launches postharvest initiative at World Food Prize meeting   http://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/purdue-launches-postharvest-initiative-at-world-food-prize-meeting/
Disaspora Messenger: Kenyan man receives Borlaug Award at World Food Prize symposium   http://diasporamessenger.com/2016/10/kenyan-man-receives-borlaug-award-at-world-food-prize-symposium-dr-andrew-mude-world-food-prize-symposium-borlaug-award/
St. John News: Area student grows plants without soil    http://www.sjnewsonline.com/news/20161012/area-student-grows-plants-without-soil
African Times: Kenyan receives Borlaug Award at World Food Prize symposium    https://africatimes.com/2016/10/12/kenyan-receives-borlaug-award-at-world-food-prize-symposium/
Thomas Rueters Foundation News: Private sector seed distribution vital for food security, World Food Prize delegates say   http://news.trust.org/item/20161012163246-e0yd2/
dtn The Progressive Farmer: Productivity and Sustainability Global Harvest Initiative Examines Down Cycle in Annual Ag Productivity Report    https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/world-policy/article/2016/10/12/global-harvest-initiative-examines-2
Feedstuffs: Purdue launches postharvest initiative    http://feedstuffs.com/story-purdue-launches-post-harvest-initiative-45-147876
BolivarMoNews.com: PH student to attend Global Youth Institute in Des Moines    http://bolivarmonews.com/agribusiness/ph-student-to-attend-global-youth-institute-in-des-moines/article_c7ff9002-90aa-11e6-a55a-43423098e443.html
Pork Network: "Lead with your ethics--facts by themselves won't work”    http://www.porknetwork.com/news/lead-your-ethics-facts-themselves-wont-work%E2%80%9D
Benzinga: Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and Borlaug Dialogue Attendees Celebrate New $100,000 National Academy of Sciences Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences   http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/16/10/p8556491/foundation-for-food-and-agriculture-research-and-borlaug-dialogue-atten
AgriPulse: Vilsack: Embrace science to address global food security    http://www.agri-pulse.com/Vilsack-Embrace-science-to-address-global-food-security-10132016.asp
Chicago Council: 1,000 Days at the World Food Prize    https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/blog/outrage-and-inspire/1000-days-world-food-prize?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Council&_zs=6mKhb1&_zl=JW9N3
Farm Forum: Dr. Kevin Folta honored at the 2016 Borlaug CAST Communication Award Ceremony   http://www.farmforum.net/news/dr-kevin-folta-honored-at-the-borlaug-cast-communication-award/article_027bad8c-775d-59ea-9fd3-3185f0c7576c.html
Pulse.ng: Sweet potato Vitamin A research emerges winner    http://pulse.ng/food_drinks_travel/world-food-prize-sweet-potato-vitamin-a-research-emerges-winner-id5601487.html
Food.Mic: This award-winning sweet potato could be the answer to the world's hunger crisis    https://mic.com/articles/156588/this-award-winning-sweet-potato-could-be-the-answer-to-the-world-s-hunger-crisis#.CIGlENffm
Swarajya: How The Vitamin-Enriched Sweet Potato Can Lead To Health Benefits For Millions    http://swarajyamag.com/insta/how-the-vitamin-enriched-sweet-potato-can-lead-to-health-benefits-for-millions
Food and Wine: Super Sweet Potatoes Win World Food Prize    http://www.foodandwine.com/news/super-sweet-potatoes-win-world-food-prize
EurekAlert: CGIAR scientists awarded the prestigious World Food Prize    https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-10/h-csa101316.php
National Catholic Reporter: World Food Prize winners receiving award for efforts to biofortify foods   https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/world-food-prize-winners-receiving-award-efforts-biofortify-foods
Iowa State Daily: Congratulations to the 2016 World Food Prize Laureates   http://www.iowastatedaily.com/opinion/article_478953c8-8ff0-11e6-b3d2-07dbd810d442.html
Relief Web: Feed the Future Progress Report 2016 : Growing Prosperity for a Food-Secure Future   http://reliefweb.int/report/world/feed-future-progress-report-2016-growing-prosperity-food-secure-future
Ag Web: Nourishment Takes Precedent in the 21st-Century Fight Against Food Insecurity   http://www.agweb.com/article/nourishment-takes-precedent-in-the-21st-century-fight-against-food-insecurity-naa-agweb-guest-editor/
Ag Web: Thinking Outside The Ballot Box: How Your Vote Could Affect World Hunger    http://www.agweb.com/article/thinking-outside-the-ballot-box-how-your-vote-could-affect-world-hunger-naa-agweb-guest-editor/
Ag Web: Cultivating Conversations: Dr. Kevin Folta Wins Award for Talking to Consumers about Ag   http://www.agweb.com/article/cultivating-conversations-dr-kevin-folta-wins-award-for-talking-to-consumers-about-ag-naa-agweb-guest-editor/
Ag Professional: Borlaug CAST Award Winner Says 'Lead With Your Ethics'  http://www.agprofessional.com/news/industry/borlaug-cast-award-winner-says-lead-your-ethics

Genetic Resource Library: Kevin Folta, Borlaug CAST Communication Award winner: ‘Lead with your ethics’   https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/10/14/kevin-folta-borlaug-cast-communication-award-winner-lead-ethics/
Agriculture.com: 6 ways to build trust with a concerned consumer    http://www.agriculture.com/farm-management/six-ways-to-build-trust-with-a-concerned-consumer
Who TV: Borlaug Foundation Reaches Out At World Food Prize    http://whotv.com/2016/10/14/borlaug-foundation-reaches-out-at-world-food-prize/
Medical News: Four CGIAR researchers win World Food Prize for improving nutrition and health    http://www.news-medical.net/news/20161014/Four-CGIAR-researchers-win-World-Food-Prize-for-improving-nutrition-and-health.aspx
Nacs online: Kellog to create 3 billion better days   http://www.nacsonline.com/Media/Daily/Pages/ND1014162.aspx#.WADoGCMrLx4
KCRG: Borlaug Foundation reaches out at World Food Prize    http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Borlaug-Foundation-reaches-out-at-World-Food-Prize-397066421.html
Ag Web: African Development Bank Dedicated to Ending Malnutrition    http://www.agweb.com/article/african-development-bank-group-dedicated-to-ending-malnutrition-naa-agweb-guest-editor/
Thomas Rueters Foundation: Wheat training foundation offers hope to end rural poverty   http://news.trust.org/item/20161014181730-fjq71/
Nyasa Times: Joyce Banda earns ADB president praise, attends 2016 World Food Prize event in USA   http://www.nyasatimes.com/joyce-banda-earns-adb-president-praise-attends-2016-world-food-prize-event-usa/
Iowa State University: Partnerships key to solving food challenges    http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2016/10/15/leath-world-food-prize
Agwired: 30th World Food Prize Laureates Honoured    http://agwired.com/2016/10/17/30th-worldfoodprize-laureates-honored/
Care2: How scientists enriched sweet potatoes to improve the health of millions    http://www.care2.com/causes/how-scientists-enriched-sweet-potatoes-to-improve-the-health-of-millions.html
Cornell Chronicle: Symposium honors food prize winners, biofortification work   http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2016/10/symposium-honors-food-prize-winners-biofortification-work
Food Ingredients 1st: World Food Prize for Sweet Potato Biofortification Scientists  http://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/World-Food-Prize-for-Sweet-Potato-Biofortification-Scientists?type=article
DTN Progressive Farmer: Sharing Development Rights    https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/farm-life/article/2016/10/17/seed-breeding-rules-key-food
AgWired: Bayer exec keynotes at FoodPrize16    http://agwired.com/2016/10/17/bayer-exec-keynotes-at-foodprize16/
Thomson Reuters Foundation: Tackle food insecurity with homegrown education, Food Prize delegates say   http://news.trust.org/item/20161017212034-znv06/
AgWired: New NAS prize for food & ag research  http://agwired.com/2016/10/17/new-nas-prize-for-food-ag-research/
Farm Futures: Vilsack shares concerns about global food security    http://farmfutures.com/story-vilsack-shares-concerns-global-food-security-0-148067

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