Michigan State University agricultural scientist Karim Maredia is the recipient of the International Leadership Award from the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture for his pioneering contributions in food and agriculture.
The award was presented to Maredia on Sept. 8 in New Delhi, India, by governors of two Indian states: Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, and the ICFA Chairman. More than 200 senior officials, scientists, farmers and dignitaries from public and private organizations in India and the international community were present at the award ceremony, including MSU International Studies and Programs Dean, Steven Hanson.
“As director of MSU’s South Asia Partnership initiative that is actively implementing collaborative research, education and outreach programs with India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Professor Maredia has played an active role in promoting south-south collaboration, especially with India and various countries in Africa which haven’t routinely worked together in the past,” Hanson said.
While at MSU, Maredia has been instrumental in building partnerships with developing countries in an effort to improve agriculture and enhance food security. He coordinates international training programs in diverse areas including integrated pest management, biotechnology, biosafety, food safety and technology transfer among others.
“This is a great honor for me. I am very grateful to have been given this distinction and recognition by such an important organization in my homeland,” Maredia said.
Maredia has led and been a part of several global projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development, United States Department of Agriculture – Foreign Agricultural Service, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Bank, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.