A Murdoch University researcher whose work has helped improve crop production for millions of smallholder farmers across Africa and South Asia has been named among the world’s leading agri-food innovators by the World Food Prize Foundation.
Professor Rajeev Varshney, Director of Murdoch University’s Centre for Crop and Food Innovation and the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, has been selected as a 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneer. The annual list recognises 40 people from 30 countries whose work is helping address global food security through science, policy, farming and entrepreneurship.
Professor Varshney is one of only four Australians to receive the honour since the list was introduced in 2024.
The Foundation recognised his contribution to genomics assisted breeding, which has enabled national crop improvement programs across Asia and Africa to adopt modern breeding methods more widely. Through the Gates Foundation supported Tropical Legumes Project, Professor Varshney contributed to the release of 266 improved legume varieties and the distribution of almost 500,000 tonnes of certified seed to farmers in South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa.
His work has also focused on reducing the cost of high throughput genotyping technologies, making advanced breeding tools more accessible to researchers and breeding programs in lower income countries.
Murdoch University Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks said Professor Varshney’s research had delivered practical outcomes with international reach.
“He has always been passionate about delivering tangible research results that support efforts to build a more food secure future. As only the fourth Australian to be recognised as a Top Agri-food Pioneer, Professor Varshney has established himself as one of Australia’s outstanding agricultural researchers, whose impact on breeders, farmers and consumers continues to shape outcomes across the globe.”
Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation Professor Peter Eastwood said the recognition reflected Professor Varshney’s scientific achievements and his commitment to addressing global food security.
“Through his leadership at Murdoch University’s Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, he continues to drive research that delivers real benefits for farmers, food systems and communities in Australia and around the world.”
Professor Varshney said the recognition carried special meaning because of the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Norman Borlaug, who founded the World Food Prize.
“Dr Norman Borlaug is one of my biggest inspirations and played an important role in my decision to dedicate my career to applying genomics and genetics in the fight against global food insecurity. To be recognised by the Foundation he established is an incredible honour.
“My sincere thanks to Murdoch University’s senior leadership team, my peers, colleagues and collaborators from Murdoch University, ICRISAT and partnering organisations, along with the funding agencies that have supported this work. I see this recognition as reflecting our shared efforts to strengthen food security, agricultural sustainability and farmer prosperity.”
Australian High Commissioner to India Ambassador Philip Green also welcomed the recognition, describing Professor Varshney as “an Indian-origin Professor at Australia’s Murdoch University” whose achievement was “another example of the important contribution of the Indian diaspora in Australia.”
Top Agri-food Pioneer recipients will be honoured during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, in October.
Established by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr Norman Borlaug, the World Food Prize Foundation recognises people whose work improves the quality, quantity or availability of food around the world. The Top Agri-food Pioneer list, now in its third year, highlights emerging leaders developing practical responses to global food security challenges.
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