Ghanaian agricultural engineer Prof. Emmanuel Y. H. Bobobee, inventor of the cassava harvester, has received the Africa Industry Excellence Award (AIEA) for his contribution to advancing cassava mechanisation across the continent.

The award was presented in Abuja during the second edition of the Africa Cassava Conference (ACC 2025).

The recognition follows his earlier role at the event as a speaker, where he addressed the theme “Building Sustainable and Quality-Driven Cassava Industries in Africa.”

Prof. Bobobee said he dedicated the award to smallholder cassava farmers across Africa who have adopted the Tek cassava harvester, describing it as a technology that has helped to transform mechanised cassava production.

During his presentation, he highlighted the need to bridge traditional farming practices with modern mechanical technologies to build a cassava sector that is competitive, efficient and capable of supporting industrial-scale production. His remarks reflected decades of work in designing machines that reduce labour, minimise post-harvest losses and improve productivity for farmers and processors.

His innovations have also shaped agricultural policy and research, reinforcing ongoing efforts to promote technology-driven agricultural development across the continent.