This message is from three of Mike’s close colleagues and friends when he worked at CIMMYT, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (1976-87), Derek Byerlee (now in the USA), Rob Tripp (UK), and Ananda (Poniah Anandajayasekoram) (Australia). Mike was a pioneer in changing the way agricultural research is carried out in Africa. His approach was simple but still revolutionary at the time—start out by talking to farmers to understand their goals and constraints. Mike looked at African agriculture with clear and unbiased eyes while teaching his colleagues how to share this understanding. We remember him as modest, good-humoured, but always persistent in his convictions. RIP Mike. Below is a photo of Mike with his CIMMYT colleagues around 1985. Mike Bancroft far left