Agraya Person of the Year, the award nominated and decided by Agraya employees, recognizes an individual outside the organization whose work reflects Agraya’s purpose: Facilitating and enabling transformation of the agricultural industry.
Patricia Obichukwu received the award at AGRAYA SUMMIT 2026 in Bologna, Italy, in recognition of her contribution to good agricultural practices, farmer empowerment, and more equitable value chains.
Agraya Person of the Year: An award chosen by Agrayans
Introduced in February 2026, the Agraya Person of the Year Award is shaped entirely by Agrayans. Employees nominate candidates, a shortlist is drawn up, and the winner is selected through anonymous internal voting.
Nominees can come from across the agricultural sector, including leaders in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, farmer advocates, innovators driving inclusive agricultural technology, scientists and policymakers advancing responsible practices, and entrepreneurs working to strengthen equitable value chains. This award offers recognition, visibility, and a connection to the Agraya community.
The inaugural recipient of the award, Patricia Obichukwu, is CEO of Best Produce International (UK) Ltd. Her work in fresh produce spans food safety, good agricultural practices, and support for producers seeking to meet certification requirements and access to international markets.
A long-standing commitment to responsible agriculture
Patricia has over 29 years of experience in the food industry, including more than 17 years in international export. Through Best Produce International (UK) Ltd., the consultancy she leads, she supports producers, exporters, institutions, and governments working toward certification and access to international retail markets.
In Nigeria, she has played a key role in the implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. and International Featured Standards (IFS) solutions for agricultural and processed products. Across the initiative, her work has focused on helping producers understand certification requirements and work towards compliance.
Advancing farmer empowerment and equitable value chains
Patricia’s collaboration with Agraya began in 2012, as part of the Registered Trainer network. She supports good agricultural practices in Nigeria and the UK and works across seven countries: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and the United Kingdom. She provides training in English and Igbo, helping stakeholders understand and implement the requirements of GLOBALG.A.P. standards.
Her work aligns with two of Agraya’s five focus areas: Advancing farmer empowerment and agency and driving equitable value chains. By supporting producers in meeting certification requirements and buyer expectations, she helps them strengthen their operations and pursue opportunities in international markets.
Her commitment to women’s economic empowerment is also reflected in her contribution to the IFU Global Juice Sustainability Report 2026. In an article titled “Empowering Women through Sustainable Juice Production in Nigeria,” Patricia profiles three women-led juice businesses and examines the barriers they face, from limited access to finance and technical training to gaps in processing infrastructure and market access. She also highlights the importance of stronger partnerships between farmers and processors in building a more inclusive and sustainable value chain.
Patricia’s wider industry involvement includes representing Nigeria and West Africa at the International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association and being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Recognizing Patricia Obichukwu’s commitment and integrity
Patricia’s contribution extends beyond training. Agrayans who nominated her, highlighted her willingness to raise integrity concerns and the time and genuine effort she takes to help the organization improve. This combination of technical expertise and a commitment to integrity was an important reason for her nomination and win.
Reflecting on her win, Patricia said, “Receiving the Agraya Person of the Year Award 2026 is a tremendous honor, and I accept it with gratitude and humility. When I began pioneering GLOBALG.A.P. in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, my mission was to help producers meet international standards. I soon realized that compliance is the tool, but empowerment is the mission. We cannot demand world-class compliance without investing in the capacity to achieve it. Let us not only celebrate progress; let us invest in the generation that will lead us tomorrow.”
Related links
- Learn more about what happened at the AGRAYA SUMMIT 2026
- Discover the Changemaker Awards 2026 winners
- Explore more about Agraya and what drives us
