India’s growing leadership in global food systems gets a powerful nod at this year’s Borlaug Dialogue

In a significant recognition of India’s rising influence in agri-food innovation, five Indian changemakers have been named to the World Food Prize Foundation’s 2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP) list. Now in its second year, the TAP list honors 39 trailblazers from 27 countries who are delivering high-impact, scalable solutions to global food and agriculture challenges.

The Indian honorees—ranging from scientists and entrepreneurs to a culinary icon—will be formally celebrated at the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, taking place October 21–23 in Des Moines, Iowa.

India’s 2025 TAP Honorees:
Dr. Avijit Ghosh
Scientist, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute
Dr. Ghosh is redefining India’s fodder security landscape through advanced grassland management and forage innovation, directly supporting livestock resilience and rural livelihoods.

Dr. Manzoor Hussain Dar
Global Head – Seed Systems, Principal Scientist, ICRISAT
From his post at ICRISAT, Dr. Dar leads global seed strategies for dryland crops, designing sustainable delivery models that help smallholder farmers access climate-resilient seeds.

Sanjeev Kapoor
Culinary Icon, Humanitarian and Entrepreneur
With a career that spans cuisine, media and social impact, Kapoor has been recognized for using his platform to champion local, nutritious, and sustainable food. His philanthropic work addressing hunger in underserved communities also earned global applause.

Aadith Moorthy
Founder and CEO, Boomitra
Moorthy’s startup Boomitra is transforming carbon farming. Using satellite imagery and AI, the platform enables farmers to sequester carbon and participate in global carbon markets—a tech-driven leap for climate-smart agriculture.

Dr. B.M. Prasanna
Regional Director for Asia, CIMMYT
At CIMMYT, Dr. Prasanna has spearheaded the development and dissemination of next-generation maize varieties, significantly advancing food and nutrition security across Asia.

“The inclusion of these Indian professionals on a global platform like the TAP list is a testament to the country’s growing leadership in agri-food transformation,” said a World Food Prize Foundation spokesperson.

The TAP network is more than just a hall of fame. It is designed to foster collaboration across geographies and disciplines—from climate and biotech to food access and policy—fueling the next generation of solutions for a more equitable and resilient food system.

With India pushing the frontiers of agricultural science, tech-driven sustainability, and food entrepreneurship, its TAP honorees reflect a new generation of global agri-food leaders—rooted in innovation, driven by impact.