LSIPR 50 2016: Florence Wambugu and Feng Zhang
Name: Florence Wambugu
Organisation: Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International
Position: Founder, director and chief executive
A plant pathologist specialising in virology and genetic engineering, Florence Wambugu has been the director and chief executive of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, based in Kenya, since 2002. Over the years Wambugu has devoted her time to many research projects including working as African regional director for the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications.
Africa Harvest’s goal is to promote innovation and develop technology-based models that enable rural communities to engage in sustainable agricultural farming, ultimately reducing rural poverty and malnutrition throughout Africa.
Wambugu is an advocate for how biotech investment in Africa could increase food production in the continent and is the co-author and publisher of “Modifying Africa: How Biotechnology Can Benefit the Poor”. Under her direction, Africa Harvest and its collaborative organisations were awarded $18.6 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
