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As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected based on current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Climate Change and Food Security: The Greatest Challenges of Our Time
Dr. Lele has garnered extensive success within the agricultural economics community, having dedicated more than five decades to research, operations, policy analysis and evaluation. Her work has been instrumental in addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the agricultural sector today, particularly climate change and its impact on food security.
"Climate change is the biggest challenge now," Dr. Lele states. "Developing countries, especially in the tropics, are the most affected. The biggest challenge going forward is dealing with climate change and still maintaining food security with huge fluctuations in production, loss of cultivable land, variable rainfall, etc."
Dr. Lele's career spans several prestigious institutions, including The World Bank, where she worked for more than 30 years, culminating in her role as a senior advisor. She also contributed to the University of Florida from 1991 to 1995 as a graduate research professor and directed international studies between 1992 and 1993. Currently, Dr. Lele is affiliated with the Institute of Economic Growth in Delhi and continues her work as an independent scholar and development economist.
Pioneering Research and Influential Publications
Dr. Lele’s groundbreaking achievements include leading evaluations on forest strategy and global partnerships during her time at The World Bank. She has authored numerous influential works published by Oxford University Press, The World Bank and Johns Hopkins University Press, among others. Her most recent book, "Food for All: International Organizations and the Transformation of Agriculture," highlights her commitment to hunger alleviation.
"I've been doing quite a bit of work on promoting and fostering women's participation in the field," Dr. Lele explains, highlighting another key aspect of her research and advocacy.
In recognition of her contributions, Dr. Lele has received numerous accolades, including an honorary doctorate from Stellenbosch University in South Africa in 2023, the Clifton R. Wharton Jr. Emerging Markets Award from Cornell University in 2018 and the Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Award from the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences in 2017.
Dr. Lele's educational background includes a bachelor's degree from Ferguson College/Savitribai Phule Pune University in 1960, followed by a master's degree and doctorate in agricultural economics from Cornell University in 1963 and 1965, respectively. Notably, she was the first woman to receive a doctorate in agricultural economics from Cornell University at the age of 24.
Currently serving as the president of the International Association of Agricultural Economists since 2018, Dr. Lele made history as the first female president elected to this role since the association's inception in 1929. She is also a fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and India's National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Dr. Lele's commitment to fostering the next generation of agricultural economists is evident in her establishment of the Uma Lele Mentor Fellowship Award, which supports men and women from developing countries in the field.
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