AGRA

Dr. Agnes Kalibata was President of AGRA from 2014 to 2025. During her tenure, she provided strategic leadership that advanced AGRA’s mission to improve productivity, resilience, and livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers across Africa.

Before joining AGRA, Dr. Kalibata was Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources from 2008 to 2014. During her tenure, she implemented science-based approaches to agriculture, significantly increasing food production and improving food security in Rwanda. Her efforts helped reduce Rwanda’s poverty levels by more than 50% and transformed the country into a model for agricultural development.

Dr. Kalibata also served as the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the 2021 Food Systems Summit, playing a crucial role in catalyzing global efforts to improve food systems and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. She holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Yara Prize (now the Africa Food Prize) and honorary doctorates from the University of Liège and McGill University. Under her leadership, AGRA has made significant strides in strengthening state capability and policies, input delivery systems, and partnerships for inclusive agricultural growth.

Dr. Kalibata’s dedication and vision left an indelible mark on AGRA and the broader agricultural landscape in Africa.