“I am delighted about this recognition from the industry, which underlines that our work on issues relating to agriculture and the food sector is also being recognized in the wider social environment,” says Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim, who is also a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) “Sustainable Futures” and the Cluster of Excellence “PhenoRob” at the University of Bonn. The scientist was appointed Schlegel Professor of Economic and Technological Change in 2021 and at the same time as the new Director of the Center for Development Research (ZEF) in Bonn.
Matin Qaim's interdisciplinary work deals with issues of global nutrition and sustainable agriculture against the backdrop of scarce natural resources in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Among other things, he and his research group analyze issues of poverty and food insecurity and the underlying causes. Qaim also assesses the impact of agricultural policy and other national and international framework conditions on prosperity and distribution.
Prize commemorates one of the VLI founding fathers
The winner was chosen by a jury made up of high-ranking representatives from science and practice in German agribusiness. The award is endowed with 5,000 euros. By naming the award, the VLI is commemorating one of its founding fathers. Tilo Freiherr von Wilmowsky was instrumental in bringing agriculture and industry together in an organization that was founded in 1927 as a liaison office of the Prussian Chamber of Agriculture in North Rhine-Westphalia. As deputy chairman of the supervisory board of the then Krupp AG, he was well known in wide circles of the German economy.
Not afraid of controversial topics
In the laudatory speech at the award ceremony on May 14, 2025 in Frankfurt, Prof. Matin Qaim's outstanding and internationally visible research achievements were highlighted, particularly on issues of world food security, sustainable agriculture and new agricultural technology. The award winner is not only an excellent scientist, he also contributes to the social and political debate on controversial topics.
... to press release of the University of Bonn: