IITA-CGIAR proudly celebrates the recognition of Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo as one of the 2025 Africa Food Prize Laureates, honoring her outstanding contributions to advancing Africa’s agricultural transformation through the widespread promotion of a novel node culture technology for cassava and yam called Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH).
Dr Diebiru-Ojo’s work is shaping a new frontier in rapid crop multiplication, transforming SAH from a scientific breakthrough into a scalable enterprise model that directly benefits farmers and seed entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa. The technology accelerates the production of clean, disease-free planting materials, ensuring that improved varieties of cassava and yam—two crops that feed hundreds of millions of Africans—reach farmers faster and more efficiently.
Through her leadership, SAH has transitioned beyond research to practical application, supporting the development of stronger seed systems in multiple countries. This achievement is not only boosting agricultural productivity but also creating opportunities for youth and women agripreneurs, strengthening food security, and opening new pathways for sustainable livelihoods.
“Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo’s recognition as a recipient of the Africa Food Prize underscores the power of African-led science to deliver practical solutions,” said Dr Simeon Ehui, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa. “Her work in SAH demonstrates how cutting-edge research, when scaled, can drive real transformation in the lives of farmers, enhance resilience in our food systems, and secure Africa’s agricultural future.”
The Africa Food Prize, awarded annually, is the continent’s most prestigious recognition of individuals and institutions leading efforts to transform African agriculture. By spotlighting innovations that create lasting impact, the Prize highlights the vision, dedication, and creativity required to address Africa’s urgent food security challenges.
Speaking on the award, Dr Diebiru-Ojo said “This award is not the end, it is a beginning. A call to action. A reminder that much remains to be done if we are to achieve a food-secure Africa. I accept it not as a symbol of fulfillment, but as fuel to work even harder for the opportunities ahead.”
Dr Diebiru-Ojo’s selection affirms her role as a trailblazer in agricultural science and enterprise development, bridging the gap between laboratory research and farmers’ fields. Her success in scaling out the SAH node culture technology sets a new standard for how scientific discoveries can be translated into solutions that scale across Africa, helping the continent feed itself and contribute to global food security.
