Belgian Honor for Agricultural Leader
Bram Govaerts, the distinguished Director General of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), has been awarded the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Crown by the King of Belgium. The honor, one of Belgium's highest, was presented on November 12, 2025, at the Residence of the Embassy of Belgium in Mexico City. Vice Prime Minister Maxime Prévot represented the King of Belgium at the ceremony.
As a Belgian national, Govaerts received this recognition for his profound global vision, rooted in scientific excellence and international collaboration. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing cutting-edge science, sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate resilience across the Global South, yielding significant benefits worldwide.
A Career Dedicated to Global Agriculture
Dr. Govaerts is renowned for pioneering and implementing transformative changes in agricultural systems, benefiting farmers and consumers alike. His approach involves integrating multi-disciplinary science and development teams to foster innovation in agri-food systems. He holds a PhD in Bioscience Engineering – Soil Science, a master's degree in Soil Conservation and Tropical Agriculture, and a bachelor's degree in Bioscience Engineering, all from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Throughout his career, Govaerts has received numerous accolades, including the Development Cooperation Prize from the Belgian Federal Government in 2003, the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application in 2014, and the Premio Tecnoagro in 2018. He was confirmed as CIMMYT's Director General for a five-year tenure (2023-2028) after serving as interim leader since 2021.
CIMMYT's Impact on Food Security
CIMMYT, known by its Spanish acronym for Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo, is a non-profit research-for-development organization dedicated to sustainably increasing the productivity of maize and wheat systems. Its mission is to ensure global food security, reduce poverty, and develop more productive and sustainable agrifood systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The organization addresses critical challenges such as food insecurity, malnutrition, climate change, and environmental degradation. CIMMYT is a vital part of the CGIAR network and hosts the world's largest maize and wheat genebank. Its innovations have positively impacted over 1 billion people in the Global South, and its research also significantly benefits the Global North, with an estimated 63% of wheat grown in Europe tracing back to CIMMYT's work.
Significance of the Order of the Crown
The Order of the Crown is a national order of the Kingdom of Belgium, established on October 15, 1897, by King Leopold II. It is awarded for exceptional service to the country, including meritorious public employment, distinguished artistic, literary, or scientific achievements, or commercial and industrial services in Belgium or Africa. The award to Govaerts underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in tackling pressing global issues like hunger, climate change, and rural poverty, highlighting the critical role of science diplomacy in building a sustainable future.
5 Comments
Matzomaster
Seems like a lot of self-congratulation among elites. Real, tangible change is still so slow.
Rotfront
Fantastic news! Global food security is a critical issue, and he's a true leader in the field.
Karamba
CIMMYT's mission is vital, and Govaerts is clearly steering it in the right direction for humanity.
Manolo Noriega
While Govaerts' dedication to food security is commendable, the article's focus on maize and wheat might inadvertently overlook the importance of local biodiversity and traditional food systems in many regions.
Fuerza
This award certainly highlights the critical role of science in agriculture, yet the article doesn't detail how CIMMYT ensures equitable access to its innovations for all communities, regardless of their resources.