We note with great sadness the loss of a truly extraordinary agricultural scientist and champion in the fight against hunger and poverty. Those of us at the CGIAR join the many friends, colleagues and admirers of Dr. Norman Borlaug, who passed away on September 12 at the age of 95, in paying tribute to him for a lifetime of indefatigable effort to alleviate the suffering of the poor and hungry.

Dr. Borlaug complemented his scientific work with bold advocacy for the policy and institutional changes needed to bring improved wheats and other agricultural technologies within the reach of small farmers in developing countries. His tireless efforts on both the scientific and policy fronts made possible a revolutionary transformation of agriculture, especially in Asia, which rescued millions from hunger and earned him the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr. Borlaug’s achievements conveyed an unmistakable message to the world about the power of agricultural research as an indispensable tool for achieving global food security and defeating rural poverty. That idea proved so compelling as to give rise to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Today, it has grown to become a global partnership network of 15 international agricultural research centers sponsored by 64 member countries and organizations with over 8,000 staff and partners around the world.

Dr. Borlaug was associated most closely with CIMMYT, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. He also offered critical guidance over the years to the CGIAR as a whole, while supporting and inspiring younger scientists in all of the CGIAR-supported Centers and in many partner institutions as well.

Those of us working with and through the CGIAR will continue to be inspired by the enduring spirit and ideals of our irreplaceable friend and colleague.

Katherine Sierra
Chair CGIAR

Ren Wang
Director, CGIAR

Washington, DC, September 14, 2009