John Staatz was named “Officier de L’ordre National du Mali,” or Officer of the National Order of Mali, by Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
He is a professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, and African studies.
He received the honor for his longstanding contributions to the nation’s food policy and development.
Staatz played a key role in developing and implementing the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa and mentoring young African professionals. He has frequently been called on to advise the United States Agency for International Development, the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and more.
Staatz joined the MSU faculty in 1984 and has focused his career on issues of African agricultural development. He researches and teaches about topics such as agriculture marketing, international agricultural trade and policy reform.
In 2003, Staatz was awarded the Ralph Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies and Programs at MSU. He was elected as a distinguished fellow of the African Association of Agricultural Economists in 2010.
Staatz retired as MSU professor emeritus in 2011. He continues to work with the MSU Food Security Group implementing food and agriculture development projects in Mali and other areas of West Africa.