Soil scientist Paul Vlek of Bonn University was awarded the 2014 World Agriculture Prize on Saturday in ceremonies in Nanjing, Jiansu province.

The prize is given jointly by the Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for the Agricultural and Life Sciences and Nanjing Agriculture University.

Vlek is a leader in interdisciplinary research for development, education and capacity building.

He received the prize for his vision and innovative approach to education, including the development of leadership skills for different nations, among other reasons, the confederation said.

A technique invented by Vlek has been used in more than 2 million hectares of rice fields. He has also helped train many young scientists and entrepreneurs.

In 2011, Vlek was appointed to the UNESCO chair of Education for Sustainable Development at Urgench State University, Uzbekistan.

In West Africa, he set up a climate service center to help 10 countries cope with climate change.

Proposed by NAU and the confederation, the World Agriculture Prize was created in 2012. It aims to encourage more scientists to promote the development and innovation in agriculture and the life sciences worldwide.