Professor Richard Ellis joins board of directors for global food research charity
Monday, 15 May 2017
Professor Richard Ellis, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, has joined the board of a global food research and development charity committed to providing food security for billions of people around the world.
As one of three newly appointed directors to the World Vegetable Center, Richard will share his expertise in crop production as the centre works to alleviate poverty and malnutrition in developing countries.
His extensive research into the relationship between seed and crop production and the environment will help support the centre’s work and research into genetic resources conservation and crop improvement.
To date, Richard has authored 342 publications and has collaborated with international agricultural research bodies including Bioversity International, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture and the International Rice Research Institute.
On his appointment, Richard said:
“I'm very pleased to have been invited to join the board of the World Vegetable Center. Malnutrition affects billions worldwide, as a result of poverty, in developed as well as developing countries. Improvements to vegetable production can benefit the nutrition of families and also their income in resource-poor households worldwide, whilst the rapid rebuilding of vegetable production after natural or man-made disasters is an important aspect of resilience.
“Our teaching and research in agriculture, horticulture, and international development at the University of Reading is highly relevant to the work of the World Vegetable Center in combating malnutrition worldwide through improved vegetable production. It is pleasing to note that several of our graduates have worked at the Center, and I very much look forward to supporting and guiding the Center’s activities in Asia, Africa, and beyond.”
As a not-for-profit research institute, The World Vegetable Center seeks to alleviate poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through the increased production and consumption of safe, nutritious and health-promoting vegetables.
Further information on Richard’s appointment is available in the World Vegetable Center’s recent news story.