The World Food Prize Foundation Announces Dennis Beesigamukama as the 2024 Recipient of the Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application

From the stage of the Africa Food Systems Forum in Rwanda, the World Food Prize Foundation announced Dr. Dennis Beesigamukama, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, Kenya, as the 2024 Recipient of the Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation. The announcement was made by 2021 World Food Prize Laureate Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted on behalf of the Foundation.

Beesigamukama is being honored for his groundbreaking work in developing innovative, low-cost technologies that recycle organic waste into nutrient-rich, insect-composted organic fertilizers, significantly impacting agricultural practices across East Africa.

"Receiving the prestigious Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application makes me totally thrilled and grateful," said Beesigamukama. "It has refueled my energy in harnessing the immense power of insects, the small creatures with big impact, capable of breathing fresh life into degraded soils and sustainably transforming agriculture for improved food security while ensuring climate resilience and One Health."

Hailing from Southwestern Uganda, Beesigamukama's journey into soil science was inspired by his early experiences growing up in a farming family and witnessing the challenges of soil degradation. His academic journey led him to Makerere University, where he earned a B.Sc. in Agricultural Land Use and Management and an M.Sc. in Soil Science, focusing on the urgent need for locally produced fertilizers. The ongoing disruptions in synthetic fertilizer supply chains, exacerbated by global conflicts, have made his work even more relevant and essential.

Beesigamukama's research at icipe during his Ph.D. at Kenyatta University led to the development of a novel method using black soldier fly larvae to rapidly convert organic waste into high-quality, nutrient-rich fertilizer. This innovative approach drastically reduces composting time from six months to just five weeks and offers a sustainable solution to the pressing issues of soil degradation and waste management in Sub-Saharan Africa. His work has provided over 100,000 farmers with affordable, effective and environmentally friendly fertilizers, significantly increasing crop yields and improving food security.

Beesigamukama's pioneering efforts have also led to the creation of pest- and disease-resistant fertilizers fortified with naturally antimicrobial chitin from insects, offering farmers an additional layer of protection against crop losses. His leadership in training over 2,300 organic fertilizer manufacturers and traders, as well as his collaboration with the African Union to standardize insect-based fertilizers, has set the stage for widespread adoption and commercialization of these products across the continent.

"Dennis Beesigamukama's work exemplifies the spirit of Dr. Norman Borlaug's legacy," said Mashal Husain, Chief Operating Officer, World Food Prize Foundation. "His innovative approach to transforming waste into valuable resources and his dedication to improving the livelihoods of farmers across East Africa make him a truly deserving recipient of this prestigious award."

The award will be presented to Beesigamukama during the 2024 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, where he will share his inspiring story and vision for the future of sustainable agriculture. You can register to attend HERE.