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Rajeev Varshney named top Agri-food pioneer for 2026
He will be recognized at the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, in October.
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Bhavana P - Fri, 19, Jun 2026
- 16:08 EDT
- 25
Rajeev Varshney / Murdoch University
Rajeev Varshney, director of Murdoch University’s Centre for Crop and Food Innovation and the Western Australia State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre was named a 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneer by the World Food Prize Foundation.
Varshney, whose work has benefited millions of smallholder farmers across Africa and South Asia was recognized for his contributions to genomics-assisted breeding and global food security. He is one of only four Australians to receive the honor since the Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) list was introduced in 2024.
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Varshney was recognized for helping transform genomics-assisted breeding from a research concept into a practical tool used by national agricultural programs in Asia and Africa. As principal investigator of the Gates Foundation-supported Tropical Legumes Project, he contributed to the development of 266 improved legume varieties and the distribution of nearly 500,000 metric tons of certified seed to farmers across South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The World Food Prize Foundation also highlighted his efforts to make advanced breeding technologies more accessible in low-income countries by developing affordable, high-throughput genotyping platforms. The innovation reduced costs significantly, allowing plant breeders in developing nations to use tools previously available only to well-funded research institutions.
Murdoch University vice chancellor Andrew Deeks said Varshney’s work has delivered tangible outcomes in the pursuit of global food security and agricultural sustainability.
Varshney said the recognition was especially meaningful because of his admiration for Dr. Norman Borlaug, founder of the World Food Prize and recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. He credited colleagues, collaborators and funding partners for supporting efforts to improve food security and farmer livelihoods worldwide.
“I consider this recognition to be a reflection of our collective efforts to enhance food security, agricultural sustainability, and farmer prosperity.”
The 2026 TAP cohort includes 40 innovators from 30 countries across six continents, representing fields ranging from science and policymaking to farming and entrepreneurship. The honorees will be recognized at the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, in October.
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