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The Yara Prize laureates have all been honored at ceremonies in Oslo. Hosted by Yara, the events featured cultural entertainment from Africa and Norway, and were attended by key stakeholders, including participants at the African Green Revolution Conferences. Several of the laureates received their prize from the revered "Father of the green revolution," Dr. Norman E. Borlaug.
The fifth Yara Prize ceremony was both a reminder of the challenge of an African Green Revolution and a celebration of accomplishment.
The event took place in Oslo on Sept. 5, and honored the efforts of laureates Peter Munga of the Equity Bank of Kenya and the National Smallholder Farmers' Association of Malawi (NASFAM), represented by CEO Dyborn Chibonga and Chairperson Alice Kachere. This year's joint winners were chosen from a record 50 nominees.
For the third year in succession, the ceremony was hosted by Norwegian-African artists Haddy N'jie and Asta Lydersen. The evening's festivities were a blend of new and familiar faces, and a mixture of occasion and celebration.
Former Yara Prize laureate and vice-president of AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) Akinwumi Adesina gave the main address of the evening. The 2007 laureate began with an overview of the progress and successes in African agriculture, and the roles played by Peter Munga and NASFAM.
He shared his vision of a future Africa free of poverty: "I see the day coming - and it will be soon - when every child will be fed; when our fields will be brimming with food; when our granaries will be overflowing, and our children will dance in the fields." In conclusion, he pointed to the inspiration offered by US president Barack Obama, and said of the African Green Revolution: "Yes, we can - and yes, we will."
Presentations and entertainment
After a stirring performance from Guinean musician Sekouba Bambino, Yara President and CEO Jørgen Ole Haslestad presented the awards. Both winners announced their plans to plow their USD 100,000 back into efforts to promote agriculture and smallholder farmers that won them this recognition.
In a short video address, UN advisor Dr. Jeffrey Sachs offered his congratulations to the new laureates, thanked Yara, and said that new international mechanisms were on the way to aid food production and security.
The entertainment lineup featured award-winning Norwegian hip-hop dancers QUICK, leading Sami artist Mari Boine, Norwegian musicians Noora Noor, Valkyrien Allstars and Live Maria Roggen, ending with a rousing finale from Malian star Oumou Sangare and her band.
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