Basil Jarvis Food Security and Innovation Award

The Basil Jarvis Food Security and Innovation Award honours the legacy of Basil Jarvis in applied microbiology by recognising and supporting outstanding achievements in this field. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), this award targets professionals, researchers, and innovators who have made significant contributions to food safety, security, and sustainable agricultural practices. It celebrates their efforts in enhancing food production methods, addressing global hunger, and contributing to sustainable industrial processes, emphasising tangible impacts in these vital areas.

The recipient of the award shall receive:

• £3,000 in prize money
• A commemorative plaque highlighting their achievement
• An invitation to submit an article to an AMI-owned journal
• The opportunity to present/chair at an AMI conference, webinar, roundtable, or similar event

Nominations close 26 July 2024. Following this, AMI's internal awards panel will evaluate the nominations and decide on a winner, which will be announced on 16 October.

Applied Microbiology directly contributes to several specific targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The relevant targets include:

1. Target 2.1 - End Hunger: Applied microbiology is instrumental in developing sustainable methods for increasing food availability and nutritional quality.
2. Target 2.3 - Double Agricultural Productivity: Enhancing soil and crop health through microbiological research, contributing to increased productivity and income for small-scale food producers.
3. Target 2.4 - Sustainable Food Production Systems: Application of microbiological techniques in sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.

Applied microbiology also directly contributes to several specific targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9), which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation. The relevant targets include:

1. Target 9.1 - Infrastructure Development​​: Using microbiology to develop sustainable and resilient food processing and storage infrastructure.
2. Target 9.2 - Sustainable Industrialisation​​: Advancing microbiological applications in the food industry to promote sustainable and inclusive industrialisation.
3. Target 9.4 - Upgrade Infrastructure and Industries​​: Employing microbiological solutions to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of food production industries.
4. Target 9.5 - Enhance Scientific Research​​: Driving innovation and technological advancements in the food industry through microbiological research.
5. Target 9.a - Infrastructure Development in Developing Countries​​: Supporting the development of food industry infrastructure in developing countries through microbiological solutions.
6. Target 9.b - Support Domestic Technology Development​​: Enhancing domestic food technology development and research in developing countries through applied microbiology.

The contributions of applied microbiology to both SDG 2 and SDG 9, from improving food safety and security to advancing sustainable industrial processes, are vital. The Basil Jarvis Food Security and Innovation Award highlights the significance of this field, celebrating the real-world impacts on agriculture, nutrition, and sustainable innovation.