Nuffield International Announces 12 Scholars for 2026 Program
16/12/2025
December 16, 2025 - Nuffield International is proud to announce the selection of 12 outstanding agricultural leaders for the 2026 Nuffield International Farming Scholarship program. This exceptional cohort represents nine countries across four continents and will tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing global agriculture today.
The 2026 Nuffield International Scholars bring diverse expertise spanning regenerative agriculture, livestock management, horticultural innovation, digital transformation, market structures, and sustainable production systems. Each scholar will conduct in-depth research on their chosen topic, traveling globally to learn from leading practitioners and sharing their findings to benefit their home industries and the broader agricultural community.
Meet the 2026 Scholars:
Manuela Schneider (Germany) will investigate intelligent land use conflicts and sustainable productivity increases, exploring how to balance competing demands for agricultural land while achieving soil-friendly productivity gains in Germany's complex regulatory environment.
Martyna Wilk (Poland) will study global control of coccidiosis and cryptosporidiosis through biosecurity, vaccination, and gut health, addressing the critical gap between laboratory efficacy and on-farm reality in disease control.
Viorel Baboiu (Romania) will explore regenerative agriculture practices focusing on cover crops and no-till technology, investigating how to balance proven benefits with the practical challenge that crop residues can create favorable conditions for pests at scale.
Damon Chen (Taiwan) will research global trends toward replacing wild-caught species with captive-bred animals in the aquaculture industry, examining land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to identify sustainable models for reducing pressure on declining wild populations while maintaining commercial viability.
Kenjiro Sawaura (Japan) will examine building international partnerships for the future food and agriculture industry, addressing Japan's constraints including heavy foreign labor dependence, mountainous geography limiting large-scale farming, and 35% food self-sufficiency.
Koshi Hirano (Japan) will research making agriculture the No.1 dream job for the next generation, transforming perceptions of farming from hard and low-status work into a respected, innovative profession that solves social challenges.
Chika Sato (Japan) will study marketing fallow land livestock products in hilly and mountainous areas, developing strategies to translate environmental preservation into economic value for Japan's disadvantaged agricultural regions.
Theresa Saini (Malawi) will investigate the journey from clean cassava cuttings to global markets, establishing local capacity for producing disease-free planting materials and meeting international market demand for high-quality cassava products.
Fabin Henrquez (Chile) will explore digital challenges for agriculture, examining data fragmentation and generational gaps as barriers to technology adoption in an aging farming population.
Roberto Contardo (Chile) will study how fruit producers can integrate more effectively into agricultural supply chains to capture value and strengthen their role in commercialization, addressing the limited influence many growers have in marketing and pricing.
Pascal Michelow (Chile) will research implementing cover crops in hazelnut orchards, developing strategies for improving soil sustainability without compromising harvest efficiency in mechanized operations.
Elizabeth Maanda Sianga (Zambia) will investigate the impact of market structures and information gaps on smallholder farmers' prices and bargaining power, addressing how information asymmetries limit African farmers' ability to capture fair value from their production.
The scholars will convene at the Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) in Japan in March 2026, participate in the Global Focus Program throughout 2026-2027, and conduct individual research travels totaling at least eight weeks. Each scholar will produce a comprehensive written report and present their findings to their home industries, contributing to agricultural innovation and sustainability worldwide.
Nuffield International extends deep gratitude to our generous investors, sponsors, and funding partners whose commitment makes the 2026 scholarship program possible. Special thanks to the John Innes Foundation for supporting their first scholar, a recently graduated researcher from Malawi, Nuveen Natural Capital, Al Dahra, Top Farms, My Navi and Norinchukin Bank. Coalitions of investors in Germany, Chile and Zambia are supporting agricultural professionals in their countries. The investment of our many investors in agricultural leadership development creates lasting impact across global food systems.
"This talented cohort represents the future of global agriculture," said CEO, Jodie Redcliffe. "Their diverse research topics reflect the complex, interconnected challenges our industry faces--from soil health and market access to digital adoption and generational renewal. We look forward to the insights and solutions they will bring back to their communities."
The Nuffield International Farming Scholarship program, established in 1947, has supported over 2000 scholars from more than 16 countries, creating a global network of agricultural leaders committed to innovation, sustainability, and knowledge sharing.
