Honoring Eugene Robert Terry: A giant of African agricultural science (11 June 1937 – 7 April 2026)
It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of our great colleague, Eugene Terry, who passed away in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.
Eugene was a towering figure in African agricultural science and for many of us, a deeply trusted colleague and mentor. His wisdom, generosity of spirit, and unfailing commitment to Africa's farmers were felt by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.
At the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Eugene served as chair of the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA)-ILRI Hub Advisory Panel.
Born in Sierra Leone, Eugene earned a BSc in agriculture, an MSc in plant pathology from McGill University in Canada, and a PhD in plant pathology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. That education launched a career of remarkable breadth and impact. He served as plant pathologist and director of international programs and training at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), as land and crops advisor at the World Bank, as founding director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in Nairobi, and as senior technical adviser at TransFarm Africa. Most notably, he served as the inaugural director general of WARDA — now AfricaRice — from 1987 to 1996, guiding the institution through its formative years and establishing a legacy of scientific excellence and regional cooperation.
Eugene gave generously of his time and expertise across the CGIAR family and beyond. He served on boards of the World Vegetable Center, World Agroforestry, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture. He also chaired the Advisory Board of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement.
"What made Eugene so special to us at ILRI was his character. He brought warmth and intellectual curiosity to every conversation, a genuine belief that science could and should serve the most vulnerable, and an unfailing encouragement to the next generation of African scientists," said Appolinaire Djikeng, director general of ILRI. "In the BecA-ILRI Hub Advisory Panel he engaged deeply, asked hard questions, and always left us with a clearer sense of what mattered most."
His legacy will endure in the generations of scientists, institutions, and farmers whose lives have been enriched by his work.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the honor of knowing Eugene. He will be greatly missed.