More than 500 representatives of farmers’ organisations, governments, international institutions, and private sector partners gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8 to 11 June for the 2026 WFO Annual Meeting. Four days of dialogue, one clear message: sustainable agriculture cannot be achieved without farmers and strong farmers’ organisations at the centre.

©WFO

More than 500 representatives of farmers’ organisations, governments, international institutions, research organisations, private sector partners and civil society gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8 to 11 June for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO).

Co-hosted by the WFO member organisation Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF) and supported by the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, this year’s edition of the WFO flagship event brought together voices from across the global agrifood community to discuss the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today.

Outgoing WFO President Arnold Puech d’Alissac and Hon Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development of Kenya. ©WFO

Under the theme “Future Fields: Investing in Farmers’ Organisations and Empowering Communities for Sustainable Agriculture”, the four-day programme combined high-level political dialogue, thematic discussions, the Internal Affairs Session of the WFO General Assembly and field visits.

And Nairobi was not a coincidence.

Hosting the Annual Meeting in the heart of a continent where agriculture remains central to economies, livelihoods and food systems shaped the discussions that followed. Across every session, one message emerged clearly: farmers and their organisations must be recognised as strategic partners in building sustainable, resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.

Setting the tone: a call for stronger farmers’ organisations

©WFO

The High-Level Opening Ceremony brought together leading voices from across the global agrifood community, setting the tone for the discussions ahead.

Opening the meeting, WFO President Arnold Puech d’Alissac pointed out the importance of dialogue and diversity: “The WFO Annual Meeting is a great opportunity to share our views with openness and with respect for the diversity of our WFO community, a diversity that I value as one of the great strengths of this Organisation.”

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underlined the value of investing in farmers’ organisations: “When we invest in farmers’ organisations, resources go further and have a greater impact. We can scale better and manage risks together.”

IFAD President Álvaro Lario stressed the need to move beyond fragmented approaches to rural development: “By working together, we have a clear opportunity to move from fragmented support to systemic investment in rural economies. This coordinated approach will help unlock the full potential of farmers’ organisations and value chains.”

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also emphasised the wider role farmers’ organisations can play in today’s geopolitical context: “Farmers’ organisations can work together to support diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and urge governments to refrain from trade restrictions that could further destabilise food, fertiliser and fuel markets.”

Together, these interventions reinforced a common understanding: addressing today’s global challenges calls for stronger farmers’ organisations, stronger partnerships and greater investment in rural communities.

From water to trade and climate finance: connecting the challenges facing agriculture

The thematic sessions explored the interconnected challenges affecting agriculture and farming communities worldwide.

Session on “Sustainable Management of Natural Resources – The strategic role of water”. ©WFO

Water security emerged as one of the most urgent issues facing farmers today. Discussions highlighted that sustainable water management is not only a technical challenge but also a governance issue that requires farmers to be recognised as active stewards of natural resources. Participants also stressed that climate finance and adaptation support must reach farmers directly if international commitments are to translate into practical results.

Session on “Strengthening Farmers’ Organisation Leadership Towards the Post-2030 Agenda”. ©WFO

The role of farmers’ organisations remained central throughout the discussions. As global conversations increasingly turn towards the post-2030 agenda, participants reflected on how farmers’ organisations can continue to evolve, strengthen representation and expand their capacity to support farming communities in rapidly changing contexts.

Session organised by WFO partner Nestlé. ©WFO

WFO partner Nestlé contributed to the discussion through a session focused on regenerative coffee production in Kenya. Experiences shared from the field demonstrated the importance of equipping farmers with knowledge, tools and long-term partnerships that support locally driven solutions and resilience.

Session on “Trade as a Critical Tool for Global Food Security – Enabling farmers’ organisations’ participation in trade negotiations in agriculture”. ©WFO

International trade was another key area of discussion. Participants highlighted the growing impact of market volatility and geopolitical tensions on agriculture, while stressing the importance of ensuring that farmers’ organisations are meaningfully involved in trade discussions and decision-making processes.

Session on “Unlocking Climate Finance for Farmers – How to build an economic system that enables agricultural sustainability”. ©WFO

The session dedicated to climate finance further reinforced the need for stronger enabling conditions for farmers. Discussions focused on the structural barriers that continue to limit farmers’ access to finance and on the critical role farmers’ organisations can play in bridging the gap between financial institutions and local realities.

Session organised by WFO partner CropLife. ©WFO

WFO partner CropLife International shared lessons learned from five years of implementing the Sustainable Pesticide Management Framework in Kenya, demonstrating how locally adapted, partnership-based approaches can support farmers in meeting international standards while responding to local needs

Session on “Pathways for Regenerative and Resilient Agriculture: Finance, Partnerships and Farmer-centred Solutions”. ©WFO

The session dedicated to regenerative and resilient agriculture brought together representatives from farmers’ organisations, international agencies, philanthropy and the private sector to reflect on one of the key questions shaping global agriculture today: how to scale solutions that are already proving effective on the ground.

Session on “Women Farmers as Agents of Change in the Transition to Sustainable Food Production – Leveraging the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026”. ©WFO

The final thematic session on women farmers highlighted the importance of ensuring that the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 leads to concrete action. Discussions emphasised that women are not only participants in farmers’ organisations but also leaders, innovators and decision-makers, whose full involvement is essential to building representative and effective organisations.

Discussions throughout the week repeatedly reached the same conclusion: the main barriers are not technical but systemic. Scaling solutions requires coordinated investment, enabling policies and stronger collaboration built with farmers and their organisations at the centre.

©WFO

Closing the thematic discussions, WFO Secretary General Andrea Porro reflected on the spirit that characterised the Nairobi meeting: “This open exchange, this discussion, sits at the heart of WFO: an exchange between peers and farmers who open their houses to all other actors in the agrifood system and the value chain.”

From dialogue to decisions: the WFO General Assembly

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On 10 June, the WFO General Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the Organisation, translated dialogue into concrete outcomes.

Members adopted a new WFO Policy on Land Use and Land Tenure, reaffirming the importance of secure land rights as a foundation for resilience, investment, and long-term sustainability.

The General Assembly also renewed the WFO Board of Directors and elected Dr Daniel Mwendah M’Mailutha as the new WFO President. Addressing the WFO General Assembly after his election, Mwendah M’Mailutha called on all members to support him on the journey ahead, expressing his belief that the Organisation will work together to realise its shared vision.

Newly elected WFO President, Daniel Mwendah M’Mailutha. ©WFO

Back to the field, and looking ahead

The 2026 WFO Annual Meeting concluded on 11 June with field visits as a reminder that the future of agriculture is ultimately shaped on farms and within farming communities.

Over four days, Nairobi reaffirmed a clear message: sustainable agriculture cannot be achieved without farmers and strong farmers’ organisations at the centre of decision-making.

As discussions continue beyond Nairobi, WFO members and partners will meet again in 2027 in Georgia for the next edition of the WFO Annual Meeting, hosted by WFO member organisation the Georgian Farmers’ Association.

Cover photo: ©WFO