Canada | Biotech improvement and regulation for underutilized staple crops

2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers: Donald MacKenzie

Donald MacKenzie is a globally recognized leader in agricultural development applying agricultural technologies to improve underutilized food security species. Recently serving as executive director of the Institute for International Crop Improvement at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, his expertise in crop biotechnology, regulatory science, seed systems and technical capacity building has translated plant science into real-world impact. His work has improved staple crops like cowpea, teff, cassava and chickpea to enhance nutrition, disease resistance and climate resilience for smallholder farmers. He played a critical role in guiding innovations such as vitamin A-enriched Golden Rice, insect-resistant cowpea and virus-resistant cassava through complex regulatory systems in the Philippines, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. MacKenzie has built strong international partnerships across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, working closely with in-country partners to deliver locally relevant, scalable solutions that strengthen farmer livelihoods and support sustainable food systems.