The 6th BioAgTech World Congress & Expo 2025, held at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in New Delhi, recognized excellence in sustainable farming with the presentation of the Global BioAgTech Sustainable Grower Award to two remarkable individuals—Dr. Howard-Yana Shapiro, Senior Advisor at CIFOR-ICRAF and Senior Fellow at the University of California, Davis, and Mr. Sartaj Khan, a progressive grassroots agricultural leader from Uttar Pradesh, India.

Presented by Global BioAg Linkages (GBL), the award highlights exemplary contributions to the advancement of sustainable, bio-based agricultural practices. It honors individuals who have significantly influenced both global agricultural strategy and rural farm-level transformation. This year’s joint recipients embody two vital dimensions of the BioAgTech movement—scientific vision and community-driven application.

Dr. Howard-Yana Shapiro has spent over four decades advancing regenerative agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable food systems. A former Chief Agricultural Officer at Mars Inc. and co-owner of Seeds of Change, his work has had far-reaching influence on global supply chains, organic seed development, and smallholder empowerment. Currently affiliated with CIFOR-ICRAF and UC Davis, Dr. Shapiro continues to lead global initiatives focused on agroecology, nutrition, and climate-smart agriculture. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging scientific innovation with real-world agricultural challenges.

On the other end of the spectrum, Sartaj Khan has led a grassroots revolution in sustainable farming within his community in rural India. By integrating biostimulants, biofertilizers, and other biological solutions into his farming practices, he has significantly improved soil health, crop productivity, and resilience to climate change. His success has not only enhanced yields and sustainability on his own farm but has also inspired widespread adoption among neighboring farmers. Khan’s field-level initiatives have played a vital role in reducing dependency on synthetic chemicals and promoting ecological balance at the local level.

The recognition of both an internationally renowned scientist and a community-based farmer underscores the core philosophy of the BioAgTech Congress—that agricultural transformation requires both innovation at the highest levels and practical action on the ground. The award ceremony took place as part of the Congress’s Gala Night, which brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers from more than 30 countries to celebrate advancements in sustainable agriculture.

The 6th edition of the Congress reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts between research institutions, industry, and farmers to build a resilient and regenerative global food system. The dual recognition of Dr. Shapiro and Mr. Khan serves as a powerful symbol of the diverse yet interconnected efforts shaping the future of agriculture worldwide.