Leadership in agricultural economics plays a crucial role in shaping the sector, influencing policies, and driving innovation. It involves developing the skills necessary for individuals and organizations to effectively navigate complex agricultural environments. Key focus areas include skill development in management and decision-making, participation in policy implementation, and adaptation to changes such as technological advancements and climate variations.
Leadership is particularly vital in agricultural cooperatives, where collaborative decision-making helps balance the interests of diverse stakeholders. Overall, strong leadership skills can have a significant positive impact on the agricultural sector, enhancing both productivity and sustainability.
Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Dr. Uma Lele, Former-Senior Advisor at The World Bank, is acknowledged as The Pinnacle of Excellence for her contributions to Global Leadership in Agricultural and Rural Development.
Dr. Uma Lele has established herself as a pioneering voice in agricultural economics, with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. Her contributions to research, policy analysis, and global development have had a lasting impact on agricultural and rural advancement worldwide.
A Leader in Agricultural Economics
Dr. Lele spent more than 30 years at The World Bank, where she served in numerous roles, including economist, chief of development strategy division, Senior Advisor, leading policy evaluations on global partnerships and of the world bank’s forestry strategy. Her work has helped shape development programs across multiple continents, with a strong focus on food security, water resource management, and rural economies. In addition to her time at the Bank, Dr. Lele served as a Graduate Research Professor at the University of Florida between 1991 and 1995, where she also directed international studies.
Her academic path began at Fergusson College/Savitribai Phule Pune University, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Cornell University which she completed in 1965. She was the first woman to earn a doctorate in the field of agricultural economics, at the age of 24. Her research continued at home for a few years while she raised a son, before joining the World Bank in 1971 as economist.
Dr. Lele also served as President of the International Association of Agricultural Economists from 2018 to 2021, She was the first woman to hold the post since the organization’s founding in 1929. In this role, she championed global collaboration and advanced the professional development, particularly of young women agricultural economists.
Her accolades include an honorary doctorate from Stellenbosch University in 2023, the Clifton R. Wharton Jr. Emerging Markets Award from Cornell University, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, and the Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Award from the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences.
A Global Hub for Agricultural Economists
The International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) is a global professional organization dedicated to supporting agricultural economists. Its mission is to promote the professional interests of scientists who study the economics of agriculture and food systems.
The main objectives of the IAAE include:
- Encouraging International Collaboration: The IAAE seeks to foster cooperation among agricultural economists to analyze the economic and social factors that affect food, agriculture, the environment, and rural areas.
- Sharing Research: The organization focuses on disseminating research findings through newsletters, publications, conferences, and symposia.
- Promoting Idea Exchange: The IAAE facilitates the international exchange of ideas related to research and education in areas such as food economics, agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities, considering their interactions in a global context.
- Connecting with Sectors: The association aims to link the research and education community with representatives from the public and private sectors who are interested in its goals.
- Improving Research Quality: The IAAE works to develop strategies that enhance the quality, value, and application of economic research and education to address emerging societal issues related to its objectives.
Contributions and Leadership in Agricultural Economics
In July 2018, Uma Lele was elected President-Elect of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE). Since her tenure at the World Bank, she has been working as an independent scholar and development economist associated with the Institute of Economic Growth in Delhi.
Notable Publications by Dr. Uma Lele
- Food Grain Marketing in India: Private Performance and Public Policy (1973)
- The Design of Rural Development: Lessons from Africa (1976)
- Managing Agricultural Development in Africa (1991)
- Transitions in Development: From Aid to Capital Flows (1991)
- Intellectual Property Rights in Agriculture: The World Bank’s Role in Assisting Borrower and Member Countries (1999)
- Managing a Global Resource: Challenges of Forest Conservation and Development (2002)
Uma Lele has authored papers on various topics, including agricultural productivity growth, structural transformation, and the changing roles of forests and water in economic development. While serving as a Senior Advisor in the World Bank’s Operations Evaluation Department (now known as the Independent Evaluation Group), she led evaluations of significant initiatives, such as the World Bank’s Forest Strategy (2002), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (2003), and the Bank’s approach to global programs (2005).
From 2000 to 2002, Uma Lele co-chaired an International Taskforce for the China Council on Environment and Development, focusing on forests and grasslands. In 2007, she participated in the independent external evaluation of the Food and Agriculture Organization and led a team that co-authored a theme paper for the first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD 1), which resulted in a strategic roadmap.
Awards and Recognition
- Honorary Doctorate from Stellenbosch University (2023)
- Clifton R. Wharton Jr. Emerging Markets Award from Cornell University
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics
- Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Award from the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences
Throughout her career, Uma Lele has served on numerous advisory and expert panels for international organizations, including the Sasakawa 2000 Program (1992-1994), the World Food Prize (1987-1994), and the MacArthur Foundation (1991-1995). She was also a Graduate Research Professor and the Director of International Studies at the University of Florida from 1991 to 1995. Additionally, she co-chaired an international task force on Global Research on the Environmental and Agricultural Nexus (GREAN) from 1992 to 1995 and directed the Global Development Initiative at the Carter Center and the Carnegie Corporation from 1992 to 1993.
Uma Lele was a founding board member of the CGIAR’s Centre for International Policy Research in 1993 and served on the Technical Advisory Committee of CGIAR from 1994 to 1995. She has also participated in the Technical Advisory Committee of the Global Water Partnership and the Board of Commissioners of 3IE. Currently, she is a member of the external advisory panel for the Robert D. Daugherty Institute of Water for Food in Nebraska.
Uma Lele is a Fellow of the American Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and India’s National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In 2014, she received a Fellowship from the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (ISAE), and in 2018, she was recognized by the Agricultural Economics Research Association for her lifetime contributions to agricultural economics and rural development. Her awards include the B.P. Pal Award (2015-2017), the M.S. Swaminathan Award (2017), and the Clifton Wharton Award (2018).
In 2011, she established an award for the Best Research on Gender in Agriculture through the International Agricultural Economic Association. In 2013, she launched the Uma Lele Mentorship Program for students from developing countries at the American Agricultural Economic Association.
Championing Women in Agriculture
In 1971, Uma Lele was hired by the World Bank, which marked the beginning of her studies in various regions of South Asia and Africa. During her time as a visiting professor at Cornell University from 1973 to 1974, she wrote her book, The Design of Rural Development: Lessons From Africa. After this period, she returned to the World Bank in 1974 and worked there until 1990.
In 1991, Uma Lele became a graduate research professor and the director of international studies at the University of Florida, teaching there for four years, from 1991 to 1995. During this time, she also served as the Director of the Global Development Initiative at the Carter Center from 1992 to 1993.
Uma Lele returned to the World Bank in 1995, taking on the role of senior advisor in the Operations Evaluation Department, which later became known as the Independent Evaluation Group. She retired from the World Bank in 2005 but continues to engage in research, writing, and lecturing as a visiting researcher at the Institute of Economic Growth at the University of Delhi.
Uma is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. She played a key role in organizing the First Global Conference for Women in Agriculture (GCWA) held in 2012. Additionally, she established a Mentor Fellowship Award for Women through the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association and a Best Research Award on Gender in Development through the International Association of Agricultural Economists.
A Lasting Legacy
Uma’s extraordinary journey shows how passion, dedication, and strong leadership can shape the future of global agriculture. Her contributions to research, policy, and education have influenced major international institutions and opened doors for the next generation—especially women—in agricultural economics. Her legacy continues to inspire young minds around the world.
5 Key Takeaways from Dr. Uma Lele’s Legacy in Agricultural Economics
- Uma Lele is a highly respected leader in global agricultural economics. Her long career of over 50 years includes important work in research, advising on policies, and promoting progress in farming and rural areas worldwide. Â
- She broke barriers and achieved many firsts. Uma Lele was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Cornell University and the first woman to lead the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) since it started in 1929. Â
- Uma has made significant contributions through her work at the World Bank. For over three decades, she held important roles, leading evaluations of major global programs focused on things like food security, water, and rural development. Â
- She is dedicated to supporting future agricultural economists, especially women. As the President of the IAAE, Uma Lele actively encourages global teamwork and helps young professionals, particularly women, grow in their careers. She has also created awards and mentorship programs to support them. Â
- Uma’s work has had a lasting impact on agricultural economics and development. Through her research, publications, and leadership roles in various international organizations, she has significantly influenced how we think about and approach challenges in agriculture and rural areas around the world. Â
