What begins in a laboratory or on a research field does not always stay there. For University of the Free State (UFS) alumnus Dr AbduRahman Beshir Issa, decades of research on maize and plant breeding have evolved into a career focused on ensuring that agricultural innovation reaches the farmers who need it most.
Now serving as Seed Systems Lead for Asia at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Dr Beshir has spent nearly three decades working across Africa and Asia to strengthen seed systems, improve access to stress-resilient crop varieties, and connect scientific research with practical solutions for farmers.
For Dr Beshir, the recognition is significant precisely because of that connection between science and impact.
“The most meaningful aspect of the recognition is that it goes beyond individual scientific achievement. It recognises efforts to translate science and innovation into practical solutions that improve food systems and livelihoods,” he says.
Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, heaped praise on Dr Beshir, “We take immense pride in seeing Dr Beshir recognised among the world’s leading agri-food pioneers. It affirms the enduring value of postgraduate education, research excellence and solid guidance and mentorship. His journey reflects what is possible when scientific discovery is accompanied by a deep commitment to societal impact and sustainable development.”
From plant breeding to impact
Dr Beshir’s journey at the University of the Free State began with an MSc in agriculture/plant breeding, which he completed cum laude in 2009, followed by his PhD in plant breeding from the Department of Plant Sciences in 2013. His doctoral research focused on the yield stability and performance of quality protein maize across different environments in sub-Saharan Africa, with the broader goal of identifying maize varieties that could contribute to improved food and nutritional security.
His PhD promoter was Prof Maryke Labuschagne, with Dr Dan Makumbi, Dr Peter Setimela, and Dr Angeline van Biljon serving as co-promoters. Dr Beshir credits this period with giving him a strong foundation in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, and genotype-by-environment interaction – knowledge that continues to shape his work.
“My experience at the UFS provided an important foundation for my career,” he says. “The training I received in plant breeding taught me to approach agricultural problems scientifically, while my doctoral research strengthened my ability to analyse complex production environments and understand how genotype interacts with environment.”
His career has since expanded from plant breeding and crop improvement to the broader seed systems landscape, encompassing seed production, quality assurance, market development, digital technologies, and policy engagement.
Among the work he is most proud of is his contribution to strengthening maize seed systems in Pakistan and Nepal. In Pakistan, collaborative efforts contributed to the release of more than 15 stress-resilient maize varieties, expanding farmers’ access to improved genetics suited to challenging growing conditions.
In Nepal, Dr Beshir has played a key role in strengthening domestic hybrid maize seed production and local seed markets. Initiated in 2018, local hybrid seed production has expanded significantly and is now supporting maize cultivation on more than 10 000 hectares. This has contributed to reducing Nepal’s dependence on imported maize and helped the country save an estimated USD 25 million in 2025 that would otherwise have been spent on maize grain imports. The initiative has also created new income and livelihood opportunities for farming communities, including women farmers, cooperatives, and local seed producers.
His work in Nepal has also extended to digital innovation. Dr Beshir contributed to the Digitally Enabled Seed Information System (DESIS), which was adopted by the Government of Nepal as a national platform and is used by thousands of stakeholders to improve seed information, planning, management, and traceability.
A legacy of mentorship and collaboration
Dr Beshir says his motivation remains rooted in seeing scientific advances translate into tangible improvements in farmers’ lives.
“A new variety has little value if farmers cannot access quality seed, afford it, trust its performance, or obtain it at the right time,” he says. “This is why I have increasingly focused on the entire seed system – from breeding and variety development through seed production, quality assurance, markets, and delivery.”
He also remains deeply appreciative of the mentorship he received at the UFS, particularly from Prof Labuschagne, whose guidance he says has had a significant influence on his scientific journey.
Looking ahead, Dr Beshir hopes that the recognition will strengthen collaboration between scientists, policymakers, farmers, private-sector actors, and young agricultural professionals, while encouraging greater investment in climate-resilient varieties, functional seed systems, and digital technologies.
He also sees an opportunity to strengthen the longstanding relationship between CIMMYT and the UFS through joint research, capacity development, student and scientist exchanges, and mentorship.
For Dr Beshir, then, the journey comes full circle: from research at the UFS, to agricultural innovation across continents, and now to recognition among the world’s leading agri-food pioneers – with the ultimate measure of success remaining the difference that science can make in farmers’ lives.
“The true measure of research success lies in its ability to improve lives. Dr Beshir’s work is helping farmers build resilience, strengthen livelihoods, and secure their futures. His accomplishments highlight the global influence of African scholarship, with a history in the central agricultural heartland of South Africa. His achievement is evidence of the important contributions that African-trained researchers continue to make in shaping the future of food systems,” remarked Prof Reddy.