Prof. Pedro A. Sánchez, one of the most influential soil scientists of the modern era and a World Food Prize laureate, has died at the age of 79.
Sánchez was widely regarded for his pioneering work in restoring degraded tropical soils and boosting food production across Africa and Latin America. His research showed that poor tropical soils could become productive through targeted mineral and fertilizer inputs, helping farmers raise yields and escape hunger.
His efforts had a global reach. Sánchez played a central role in agricultural initiatives that improved food security for millions, contributing to what many described as a new “Green Revolution” in parts of Africa and Asia. He also championed sustainable land management and agroforestry practices that stored carbon, raised productivity, and rebuilt fragile landscapes.
The Cuban-born scientist authored several influential works, including the textbook Properties and Management of Soils of the Tropics, and held academic positions at Columbia University and the University of Florida. His contributions earned him several international honors, most notably the World Food Prize in 2002.
Sánchez’s scientific career was driven by a belief that soil science could directly serve humanity’s most urgent needs—chief among them hunger, poverty, and environmental restoration. Tributes from colleagues and development agencies noted that his work reshaped both policy and practice in global agriculture.
He leaves behind a legacy of scientific innovation, practical impact, and a generation of researchers inspired by his approach to food security and sustainable land use.