Des Moines, Iowa (June 30, 2025) — Dr. Jean Baptiste De La Salle Tignegre, a Core Team member of the Alliance for Cowpea Improvement in Africa (ACIA), has been named one of the 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) by the World Food Prize Foundation.
Now in its second year, the TAP recognition honors global leaders who are advancing innovation in agriculture and food security. Dr. Tignegre, who works as the regional representative for West Africa at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), will be recognized during the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue, the World Food Prize Foundation’s annual event in Des Moines, Iowa.
Dr. Tignegre’s work has led to the advancement of cowpea varieties and commercialization in Africa. His leadership has driven regulatory approvals, established field trial infrastructure, and initiated advocacy and training programs across Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, and Mali.
“This work has never been about one person. It reflects years of partnership with farmers, scientists, regulators, and institutions across West Africa to make improved cowpea, the hunger stopper, a reality,” said Dr. Tignegre, who has worked on cowpea for more than three decades as a plant breeder and researcher. “This award shows what’s possible when science reaches the farmers who need it most.”
As a Core Team member of ACIA, Dr. Tignegre exemplifies the alliance’s mission to deliver farmer-focused, science-based solutions that improve yields, reduce pesticide use, and build resilience in the face of climate and pest pressures. Cowpea is a protein-rich staple for millions across sub-Saharan Africa, but pests like the pod borer and cowpea weevil can destroy up to 90 percent of harvests, reducing incomes and limiting access to affordable food. His recognition highlights the impact of African-led research and regional collaboration on advancing solutions that matter to smallholder farmers.
About the Alliance for Cowpea Improvement in Africa (ACIA)
The Alliance for Cowpea Improvement in Africa (ACIA) is an Africa-focused agricultural research partnership embracing the opportunities and addressing the challenges of cowpea production and consumption. More information is available at Alliance for Cowpea.
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