Prof. Khan in the maize experimental field
Prof. Zeyaur Khan is recognized worldwide for his discovery and wide-scale implementation of the Push-Pull technology (www.push-pull.net) – a pro-poor scientific innovation, and its subsequent adaptation to climate change for enhancing food security and environmental sustainability for small-holder cereal-livestock African farmers through integrated management of stemborers, fall armyworm, parasitic striga weeds and soil fertility, while providing quality fodder in cereal-livestock farming systems. About 2.5 million people in more than 350, 000 households in sub-Saharan Africa are now food secure through the adoption of climate-smart Push-Pull technology (PPT). Recently the PPT has been integrated with high-value vegetable crops which made it more attractive to youth and women Prof. Khan’s goal is to end hunger and poverty for 10 million people by extending Push-Pull technology to more than 1 million households in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
Prof. Khan is a Fellow of the American Society of Entomology, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, UK, the African Academy of Sciences, and of the TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences). He is the Thomas Odhiambo Distinguished Research Fellow based at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Kenya where he presently holds the position of Emeritus Scientist in the Push-Pull Programme. He serves as an Adjunct Professor of Entomology at Cornell University and a visiting Professor of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, in the United States of America. He is the recipient of the 2015 Louis Malassis International Prize for Outstanding Career in Agriculture for his contribution to the field of agriculture and food security. He also won 2011 TWAS prize in Agricultural Sciences for enhancing food security and environmental sustainability in Africa through Push-Pull technology.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Name: Zeyaur R. Khan
Date of birth: 7 February 1955
Nationality: Indian
Cellphone: +254 722 744660
Email: zkhan@icipe.org; zeyaurrkhan@gmail.com, zrk6@cornell.edu, zkhan43@wisc.edu
Website: http://www.push-pull.net
QUALIFICATIONS
1980 PhD Insect Physiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
1977 MSc Insect Taxonomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
1975 BSc Zoology, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, India
PRIZES
2015 Louis Malassis Prize for Outstanding Career in Agriculture
2012 The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Prize in Agricultural Sciences
2010 Distinguished Scientist Award, Entomological Society of America
2010 Nan-Yao Su Award for Innovation and Creativity in Entomology
2009 International Integrated Pest Management Excellence Award
ACADEMIC CAREER
2015-present Adjunct Professor, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, US 2024- present visiting Professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
2024–to present Emeritus Scientist in the Push-Pull Programme
1993–2023 Principal Scientist and Leader, Habitat Management Programme, icipe, Nairobi, Kenya
2013–2018 North-West University, South Africa
2012–present Thomas Odhiambo Distinguished Research Fellow, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
2009–2014 Visiting Professor of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA
1991–1993 Visiting Senior Scientist, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA
1986–1991 Entomologist, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines
1985–1986 Research Associate, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
1983–1985 Postdoctoral Fellow, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines
1980–1983 Assistant Professor of Entomology, Rajendra Agricultural University, India
Prof. Zeyaur R. Khan 