WFO Young Farmers' Network member and Gymnasium alumna Sarah Lindsay Zunon Gbotta shares her journey as a young farmer and entrepreneur in Côte d'Ivoire, highlighting her efforts to revitalise local fish farming and empower women and youth in aquaculture

My journey with the World Farmers' Organisation (WFO) Young Farmers' Network began when I joined the third cohort of the WFO Gymnasium High-level Capacity Building Programme. A decisive turning point in my commitment to sustainable agriculture came when I had the privilege of participating in the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai as part of the WFO delegation. These experiences empowered me to take on leadership roles in my local community. 

WFO Gymnasium Alumna Sarah Lindsay Zunon Gbotta appointed Ambassador of Daloa

Today, I serve as Ambassador of Daloa and Head of the Djôlô Community ("blessing" in the local language), a group of 30 women participating in the Empow'Her initiative, an international network dedicated to women's social and economic empowerment, as well as its Women Dare projects. As part of this work, I have collaborated with local authorities, including the 2nd Deputy Mayor of Daloa, responsible for gender initiatives, and the Regional Director of Youth, as we explored opportunities for sustainable aquaculture in our area. Additionally, I was honoured to represent Cote d'Ivoire in Morocco as part of FEMMPACT, a joint initiative of the Kingdom of Morocco and the German Federal Government. 

WFO Gymnasium Alumna Sarah Lindsay Zunon Gbotta represented Côte d'Ivoire in Morocco as part of the FEMMPACT initiative

Tackling Côte d'Ivoire's Aquaculture Challenges 

 With 10 years of experience as a fish farmer-manager, General Director, and founder of Gbotta Entreprise, I am deeply committed to advancing Côte d'Ivoire's sustainable fish farming. Currently, 86% of the tilapia consumed in the country is imported, resulting in an annual foreign exchange outflow exceeding 31 billion FCFA. This heavy reliance on imports is a stark reminder of the urgent need to strengthen local production while making aquaculture accessible to young people. 

In response, I launched a practical training project in fish farming, where I share my expertise and transmit modern techniques to young farmers. This initiative aims to: 

• Revitalize the aquaculture sector by promoting innovative and sustainable fish farming methods.
• Empower young people and women, providing them with skills and opportunities in aquaculture.
• Create sustainable jobs to support rural livelihoods and strengthen local economies. 
• Strengthen food self-sufficiency in fish farming, reducing dependency on imports and ensuring food security. 

A Vision for the Future 

I firmly believe that the future of agriculture relies on sustainable, inclusive and innovative solutions. Through this initiative, I hope to inspire a new generation of farmer leaders while fostering national and international collaborations to tackle pressing global challenges, including climate change, food security and sustainable development. 

Every young farmer has the power to drive change. Let's work together to transform our agricultural sector for a more sustainable and resilient future.