Award of the 2026 Crawford Fund Medal to Dr Derek Byerlee AO
July 29, 2026
The Crawford Fund for Food Security has awarded the 2026 Crawford Fund Medal to Derek Byerlee AO, recognising his exceptional and sustained contribution to international agricultural research and global food security over more than five decades.
From his early work on farming systems and rural livelihoods in Africa to his global leadership roles at CIMMYT and the World Bank, Dr Byerlee has consistently advanced the integration of science, economics, and policy to improve the effectiveness and impact of agricultural research for development.
He has been a pioneer in multidisciplinary and participatory research approaches, helping to bring scientists closer to farmers and shaping research priorities that reflect real-world production systems. His work has provided critical insights into productivity, sustainability, and the long-term performance of post-Green Revolution agriculture, including early identification of productivity plateaus and resource degradation in major farming systems.
Through his leadership in international institutions, including the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre and the World Bank, Dr Byerlee has influenced the design of agricultural research systems, investment strategies, and policy frameworks across developing regions. His contributions to flagship global analyses, including the 2008 World Development Report on agriculture for development, have helped position agriculture at the centre of development thinking and action.
Beyond his institutional roles, Dr Byerlee has continued to shape global discourse through his research, publications, and advisory work, including leadership in CGIAR science and impact assessment, as well as contributions to global food policy and research governance. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to strengthening the role of agricultural research in reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and ensuring sustainable food systems. In 2025, the Crawford Fund for Food Security published his book: Australia’s Search for Greener Pastures: The Foundations of the Global Genetic Resources Movement, 1926-1980.
This award recognises not only a distinguished career but a legacy of global influence in advancing the science, systems, and policies required to achieve food security.
The 2026 Medal will be presented at a special seminar at SARDI’s Plant Research Centre, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia on 13 October 2026. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
