Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), joins 37 others on inaugural list of agrifood trailblazers.
The first African scientist to lead the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has been recognised by the World Food Prize Foundation as one of the world’s leading agrifood changemakers.
Cameroon-born Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng, who assumed the post of Director General at ILRI in April 2023, was one of 38 to feature on the World Food Prize Foundation’s inaugural Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) list.
Prof. Djikeng is a globally recognised expert in livestock health and development, and in particular, the genetic improvement of African livestock. He co-founded the African Animal Breeding Network (AABNET) and the African Biogenome project (AfricaBP), a community of scientists and related professionals, policymakers and stakeholders aiming to harness the power of genomics for the characterisation, conservation, and sustainable use of biodiversity in Africa.
In his current role as ILRI Director General, Prof. Djikeng is overseeing the development of a new 2030 strategy to advance scalable solutions for sustainable livestock systems across the Global South.
He joins pioneers from 20 different countries across six continents working across agrifood systems, from crop farming to livestock, agtech, nutrition and advocacy.
“I’m truly humbled to be recognised by the prestigious World Food Prize Foundation as one of their inaugural Top Agri-food Pioneers,” said Prof. Djikeng.
“The potential for innovation to transform Africa’s livestock systems is enormous and I’m proud to be at the helm of ILRI as a scientific centre of excellence during a critical decade for the future of our planet.”
The TAP list is expected to be announced and expanded annually, and this year’s pioneers will be featured at the 2024 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, from October 29 to October 31.