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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

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Rattan Lal Appointed to BIFAD by President Biden

Jan. 24, 2022

On January 14th, President Biden announced his intent to appoint Rattan Lal, Distingushed Professor of Soil Science, to the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). The President appoints members who primarily represent the academic community to advise the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on agriculture and higher education issues pertinent to food insecurity in developing countries. BIFAD was established by Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act. The Board and Title XII recognize the critical role of U.S. land-grant institutions in agricultural development, domestically and abroad, and support their representation in USAID development programs.

Dr. Lal's appointment was made with the other following nominees:

  • Laurence B. Alexander, Chair, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
  • Pamela K. Anderson, Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
  • Marie Boyd, Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
  • Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie, Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
  • Henri G. Moore, Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
  • Kathy Spahn, Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development

Dr. Lal serves as the Director of the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration at The Ohio State University. He is widely recognized as a pioneer in soil-centric agricultural management to improve food security globally and develop climate-resilient agriculture through soil carbon management and sequestration, sustainable management of soils, and soil health.

Dr. Lal served as President of the World Association of the Soil and Water Conservation (1987-1990), the International Soil Tillage Research Organization (1988-1991), the Soil Science Society of America (2005-2007), and the International Union of Soil Sciences (2017-2018). He is Chair in Soil Science and Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Issues of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. Dr. Lal has received several awards for his work, including the 2020 World Food Prize.