Dr. Montague Yudelman, an influential leader in agricultural development, died on January 22, 2013. 

Yudelman (known as “Monty” to his friends and colleagues) was, in the words of IFPRI Director General Shenggen Fan, “truly a giant in our profession.”

Yudelman’s experience growing up on a family farm in South Africa sparked an active engagement in agricultural development that lasted more than 50 years. His distinguished career included positions at the Population Reference Bureau, the Rockefeller Foundation, the World Bank, the World Resources Institute, and the World Wildlife Fund. 

At the World Bank, he highlighted the importance of international agricultural research for food security and was involved in the formation of CGIAR, the global agriculture research partnership of which IFPRI is a member. He was also very active in IFPRI conferences and publications, initiating the annual Malthus Lecture Series, which is organized in partnership with the Population Reference Bureau. 

In this 2011 video interview, Yudelman offers a fascinating glimpse into his life experiences. 

“Monty’s strong passion for agricultural development and commitment to the field will always be admired and remembered,” said Fan.