Yesterday, President Joe Biden awarded the National Medal of Science to the Ethiopian-born distinguished professor of plant breeding and genetics, Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, for his outstanding contributions to the science of plant genetics.
By developing sorghum strains that withstand droughts and parasites, Prof. Gebisa has improved food security for millions.
His advocacy for science, policy, and institutions as key to economic development has lifted the fortunes of farmers and strengthened the souls of nations, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia congratulated Prof. Gebisa Ejeta over the National Medal of Science award.
The National Medal of Science is the highest recognition the United States confers upon scientists. FBC reports
Who is Ejeta?
Ejeta was born in the remote village Wollonkomi, Oromia to Oromo parents. Encouraged by his mother, he walked 20 kilometres to the nearest elementary school every Sunday evening and spend the week there.
During primary school, Ejeta planned to study engineering when he reached college age. However, his mother convinced him he could do more working in agriculture. With assistance from the Oklahoma State University, he attended an agricultural and technical secondary school in Ethiopia, and also studied at what is now Haramaya University. The university and the U.S. Agency for International Development helped him earn a doctorate from Purdue University.
Working in Sudan during the early 1980s, Ejeta developed Africa’s first commercial hybrid variety of sorghum tolerant to drought. Later, with a Purdue University colleague in Indiana, he discovered the chemical basis of the relationship between the deadly parasitic weed striga and sorghum, and was able to produce sorghum varieties resistant to both drought and striga.
On 2011 President Barack Obama appointed Gebisa Ejeta as Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development.
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