Prof. Khan is recognised for his significant contribution to Africa by enhancing food security and environmental sustainability, through scientific research into the complex mechanisms that govern the ecology of plant–insect interactions and plant signalling in smallholder cereal–livestock production systems, leading to development of push–pull, an ecological, pro-poor agricultural innovation, and its adaptation to climate change to ensure its long term sustainability; and for leading a research-based extension system for wide-scale dissemination of push–pull, in which natural and social scientists work closely with farmers and extension agents to ensure that research serves the evolution and spread of the technology. Through his research and development work in Africa over the last 22 years Khan has shown that push-pull can sustainably increase food production without environmental damage.