WFO young farmers contributed to GFFA 2026 in Berlin, sharing their perspectives at the International Young Farmers’ Forum and in global food and water policy discussions.

From 14 to 17 January 2026, a delegation of young farmers from the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) joined the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin, marking WFO’s tenth year participating in the forum’s high-level policy dialogue. WFO President Arnold Puech d’Alissac led the group.

Organised annually by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), GFFA 2026 convened policymakers, experts and stakeholders from politics, business, science and civil society to address global challenges at the intersection of water and food security. Under the theme “Water. Harvests. Our Future,” discussions focused on sustainable water use, competing demands on natural resources, the role of the blue bioeconomy, and the need to strengthen international water governance in an increasingly uncertain global context.

The WFO Delegation

This year’s WFO delegation included David Charles Newcombe (Canadian Federation of Agriculture – CFA, Canada), a participant in the WFO Gymnasium High-level Capacity Building Programme, Simon Donald Roy Cameron (Federated Farmers, New Zealand) and Lucas Vidal Podestá (Sociedad Rural Argentina – SRA, Argentina).

©2026 Photothek (photothek.de)

Their participation demonstrates WFO’s commitment to strengthening young farmers’ representation and direct engagement in global agricultural policy discussions.

International Young Farmers’ Forum

As part of the official GFFA agenda, WFO young farmers contributed to the International Young Farmers’ Forum, a dedicated platform that annually brings together 20 young farmers from all continents. The forum enables participants to exchange experiences from their farms and national farmers’ organisations. Together, they develop a joint statement that addresses the forum’s central theme.

©2026 Photothek (photothek.de)

This year, WFO delegate Lucas Vidal Podestá of Sociedad Rural Argentina – SRA was one of two young farmers selected to present the joint statement to ministers at the Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference on 17 January.

Key Messages from Young Farmers

In their joint statement, young farmers identified water, harvests, and resilience as interconnected pillars for the future of global agri-food systems. They highlighted how climate change, increasing pressure on natural resources, and geopolitical instability are already affecting farm viability and long-term planning, particularly for younger generations entering the sector.

©2026 Photothek (photothek.de)

Calling for predictable water governance, targeted investment and effective risk-management tools, young farmers underlined the importance of creating enabling conditions that support innovation, strengthen resilience and improve income stability. Central to their message was the need for meaningful participation of young farmers in policy-making processes, recognising them as key contributors to sustainable and future-oriented agricultural systems.

Farmers’ Voices in Global Policy Discussions

Reflecting on the forum, President Puech d’Alissac emphasised the importance of embedding farmers’ perspectives in international decision-making. “GFFA offers a valuable opportunity for young farmers to bring their experience directly into global discussions on agriculture. Their participation in the Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference is a clear reminder that farmers—and young farmers in particular—must be involved when policies are shaped at both national and international levels,” he said.

WFO young farmers at GFFA 2026 once again highlighted their role as active contributors to international dialogue. They reinforced the importance of inclusive discussions rooted in on-the-ground realities and long-term perspectives for the future of agriculture.

Cover photo: ©2026 Photothek (photothek.de)