Abuja: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has honoured Dr. Mercy Diebiru-Ojo for her remarkable achievement in winning the 2025 Africa Food Prize. Dr. Diebiru-Ojo, a scientist at IITA, has been recognized for her pioneering work in cassava and yam seed systems, utilizing the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technology.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director-General of IITA, announced the honour at a news conference in Abuja, describing it as a significant milestone in African agricultural innovation. The award ceremony, which took place during the Africa Food System Forum in Dakar, also recognized Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango from Kenya alongside Diebiru-Ojo.
Dr. Ehui highlighted the importance of the conference as a platform for engaging with the African laureate, stakeholders, and discussing the impact of SAH on food security. He emphasized the role of African-led science in transforming agriculture and noted that the Africa Food Prize, regarded as the continent’s top recognition for agricultural innovation, includes a US$100,000 award shared between the two winners.
Diebiru-Ojo’s leadership in advancing SAH technology has been critical in cultivating cassava and yam, two staple crops in Africa. Dr. Ehui described SAH as a clean, nursery-based method that quickly multiplies disease-free plants, thereby reducing the time required to bring seeds to the field.
He further elaborated on the significance of SAH, stating it accelerates the pipeline from laboratory to field, enabling countries to respond more effectively to pests, diseases, and climate challenges with clean, high-performing crop varieties. SAH’s ability to ensure food security at scale by increasing crop yields and decreasing losses was also underscored.
Dr. Ehui praised Diebiru-Ojo for her scientific rigor and commitment to farmer impact, noting her efforts in championing early-generation seed enterprises and partnerships. He also commended the collaboration with national research systems, seed companies, and farmer organizations.
Diebiru-Ojo expressed her gratitude to IITA for the opportunity to achieve such a prestigious accolade, dedicating the award to the institute, Nigeria, and the entire continent. She emphasized the scalability and replicability of the SAH technology, which has been adopted in over 15 African countries, significantly benefiting cassava-dependent regions.
In conclusion, Dr. Diebiru-Ojo’s groundbreaking work with SAH technology has drawn widespread attention and recognition, furthering IITA’s mission of transforming agriculture across Africa. The award serves as a testament to the impact of innovative agricultural practices in addressing food security challenges.