US President Awards National Medal of Science to Ethiopian-born Scientist Gebisa Ejeta

Addis Ababa, October 25/2023 (ENA) US President Joe Biden on Tuesday awarded the National Medal of Science to Ethiopian-born Gebisa Ejeta, Distinguished Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics for his outstanding contributions to plant genetics.

The award is the highest recognition the nation bestows upon scientists. Ejeta studies sorghum, an ancient grain used widely as a food source for humans and livestock. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement said “Our congratulations go out to Ethiopian-born Gebisa Ejeta, Distinguished Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics, who was awarded by President Joe Biden the National Medal of Science yesterday.”

His advocacy for science, policy, and institutions as key to economic development has lifted the fortunes of farmers and strengthened the souls of nations, it was mentioned during the award ceremony. 

He received the 2009 World Food Prize for his research in creating sorghum hybrids that are resistant to both severe drought and the destructive parasitic Striga weed. 

The resulting dramatic increase in sorghum production has helped feed hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.