Wale Adekunle
Nigeria | Agricultural Research and Development
Wale Adekunle has revolutionized Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) by developing the Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) framework and pioneering the Innovation Platform (IP) model. Unlike traditional top-down research approaches, his model brings together farmers, researchers, policymakers, agribusinesses and financial institutions into a multi-stakeholder system that ensures practical, scalable outcomes. Adekunle also transformed farmers’ learning through real time, blended training with short topical videos, texts and audio messages in farmers’ languages. His innovation enables real-time knowledge sharing, demand-driven research and farmer-centered solutions. Adekunle’s work has lifted millions out of poverty, improved food security, and strengthened climate resilience. The IP model has been adopted in 52 countries and influenced agricultural policy in The Gambia, earning him a UN Millennium Development Award. Adekunle currently serves as the President and CEO of the Commonwealth Association for Agricultural Research and Development.