2020 – Dr. Rattan Lal
Recognized for developing and promoting a soil-centric approach that enhances food production while conserving natural resources and addressing climate change.

2012 – Dr. Daniel Hillel
Honored for conceiving and implementing micro-irrigation techniques in arid and semi-arid regions, revolutionizing water-use efficiency in agriculture.

2009 – Dr. Gebisa Ejeta
Awarded for developing drought-tolerant sorghum hybrids and varieties resistant to Striga (witchweed), helping improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

2005 – Dr. Modadugu Vijay Gupta (India)
Recognized for pioneering low-cost freshwater aquaculture techniques using tilapia, empowering poor rural communities across Asia and Africa.

2004 – Prof. Yuan Longping
Credited with developing the world’s first commercial hybrid rice, significantly boosting rice yields and food security globally.

2004 – Dr. Monty Jones
Co-recipient for creating NERICA (New Rice for Africa), a high-yield rice variety tailored for African conditions, improving nutrition and livelihoods.

2000 – Dr. Surinder K. Vasal
Honored for co-developing Quality Protein Maize (QPM), enriched with lysine and tryptophan, vital for nutrition in protein-deficient regions.

1998 – Dr. B. R. Barwale (India)
Recognized as the founder of MAHYCO, one of India's first private seed companies, instrumental in strengthening seed supply systems in India.

1996 – Dr. Henry Beachell and Dr. Gurdev Khush (India)
Acknowledged for breeding “miracle rice” (IR varieties), which doubled rice production in Asia and were pivotal to the Green Revolution.

1989 – Dr. Verghese Kurien (India)
Known as the architect of Operation Flood, which transformed India into the largest milk producer in the world, empowering millions of dairy farmers.

1987 – Prof. M.S. Swaminathan (India)
The first recipient of the World Food Prize, awarded for his leadership in introducing high-yielding wheat and rice varieties during India's Green Revolution.