Pedro A. Sanchez (1940–2026), a social soil scientist

M Meine van Noordwijk (Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry) G Generose Nziguheba (Flemish Institute for Biotechnology) T Thomas P. Tomich (Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California Davis) M Mary Scholes (School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand) F Fahmuddin Agus (Pusat Riset Tanaman Hortikultura dan Perkebunan, National Research and Innovation Agency) L Leigh Winowiecki (Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry) J Joyce Kasyoki (Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry) P Peter A. Minang (Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry)

Abstract

Cuban-born Pedro A. Sanchez (1940-2026) became the face of tropical soil science at Cornell University and the North Carolina State University. His combination of process-based understanding of soils, emphasis on farmer choices and conducive policy environments earned him the 2022 World Food prize. After leadership roles in international agroforestry research in Kenya, he returned to academia at Columbia University and the University of Florida, and as a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 13
Published March 31, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (8)

M

Meine van Noordwijk

Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry

G

Generose Nziguheba

Flemish Institute for Biotechnology

T

Thomas P. Tomich

Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California Davis

M

Mary Scholes

School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

F

Fahmuddin Agus

Pusat Riset Tanaman Hortikultura dan Perkebunan, National Research and Innovation Agency

L

Leigh Winowiecki

Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry

J

Joyce Kasyoki

Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry

P

Peter A. Minang

Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry