Ames, Iowa— The World Food Prize Borlaug Dialog may be over, but the work is just beginning. The Seed Science Center at Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has brought together some of the brightest minds from the Africa Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and several ISU departments. The goal? To tackle one of agriculture’s biggest challenges: getting high-quality, pest-, free, disease-free, and climate-resilient seed into the hands of the African farmers who need them most. By combining the Gates Foundation’s commitment to funding actionable solutions, AATF’s deep experience in technology deployment, and ISU’s proven record in seed science and capacity building, the meeting signaled a shared determination to turn bold ideas into measurable impact.
“When you need projects implemented, completed, and successful, Iowa State University and the Africa Agriculture Technology Foundation are the right groups to have at the table,” said Dr. Scott Heuchelin, Director of the ISU Seed Science Center. “We’ve spent more than 20 years building seed systems across Africa that strengthen food security and resilience through knowledge, training, and innovation.”
Representatives from the Gates Foundation outlined a new strategic focus emphasizing “action over dialogue,” pushing partners to deliver measurable outcomes from years of agricultural research.
“Bill Gates has made it clear,” said Lawrence Kent (pictured left), Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We’ve spent years improving systems, now it’s time to use those systems to deliver products that reach farmers’ hands.”
AATF lead
ers (pictured left) echoed the call for impact-driven collaboration. “Africa must move from subsistence to commercial agriculture,” said Dr. Emmanuel Okogbenin of AATF. “We’ve done the research. Now we must scale technologies that make a difference, from drought-tolerant maize to pest-resistant cowpea and improved seed conditioning systems. Iowa State’s technical expertise and long-standing partnerships make it an ideal ally for this next phase.”
The meeting highlighted examples of successful partnerships, including ISU’s work in helping African universities establish seed hubs and train professionals through the Global Programs workshops and the online Seed Technology and Business Master’s Program, as well as AATF’s leadership in deploying transgenic crops and harmonizing seed policies across the continent.
Participants from CALS shared related projects that demonstrate Iowa State’s capacity for global engagement, from Engineers Without Borders projects providing clean water in Ghana to faculty-led research in seed health, plant breeding, and biotechnology.
“Our university has a long tradition of turning ideas into impact,” said Dirk Maier, Faculty Advisor and Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. “These partnerships exemplify how science, technology, and community can come together to fight hunger.”
As the session concluded, all three organizations committed to continuing discussions and building frameworks for immediate project launches. The consensus was clear: the time for talking is over — the time for action is now.
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About the ISU Seed Science Center
The Iowa State University Seed Science Center is a global leader in seed testing, research, education, and outreach. With projects in more than 80 countries, the center works to ensure quality seed for food security worldwide through programs in seed health testing, certification, policy harmonization, and professional training.
About the Africa Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF)
The Africa Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) is a Nairobi-based non-profit organization that facilitates public-private partnerships to deliver proven agricultural technologies to smallholder farmers across Africa, enhancing productivity, resilience, and livelihoods.
About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations, committed to improving global health, reducing poverty, and expanding access to education and agricultural innovation. Its Agricultural Development team works to empower smallholder farmers to lift themselves out of poverty and build sustainable food systems.