From global policy discussions to mentorship initiatives, young leaders from the WFO Gymnasium are demonstrating the vital role of youth in building a sustainable and inclusive future for agriculture.

The WFO Gymnasium is the flagship leadership development programme of the World Farmers’ Organisation. It equips young farmers with leadership skills, international exposure, and a global platform to influence policy and practice. Recent developments highlight how its students and alumni are turning training into impact.

Young Farmers Influencing Global Policy

Sarah Lindsay Zunon, of the Association Nationale de Semenciers de Côte d’Ivoire (ANASEMCI) and a 2023 WFO Gymnasium alumna, recently contributed to strategic discussions on sustainable aquaculture during the Steering Committee of the FAO FISH4ACP project. In her national role as Vice President of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform for Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire, Sarah brings a powerful youth perspective — aligned with the vision she embraced at COP28: a future where young farmers help shape agricultural decisions at all levels.

Image courtesy of Nyaradzo Mutande. Copyright not verified.

Nyaradzo Mutande, a current Gymnasium student from the Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU), also stepped into the policy space as a participant in the FAO Project Advisory Group for the Global Partnership on Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. She underscored the importance of youth inclusion, economic viability, and social equity, calling for greater support for women, youth, and indigenous communities in the bioeconomy transition.

Strengthening Youth Representation on the Global Stage

Recognition of youth leadership continues with Patrick Kuyokwa from the Farmers’ Union of Malawi (FUM) and Kemei Mark Kiprono from the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF), 2023 Gymnasium alumni, who were recently appointed as Youth Representatives for the World Food Forum (WFF). They will join the WFF Youth Network and take part in the Forum’s flagship event in Rome, ensuring that the perspectives of young farmers are part of global agrifood dialogues.

From Learners to Leaders: Giving Back through Mentorship

The spirit of the WFO Gymnasium extends beyond the classroom. Through the PAFO–FAO Youth Mentorship Programme, WFO is proud to engage alumni as mentors supporting young farmers across Africa.

Evangelista Checkera (ZFU), Mawejje Harbert (UNFFE), and Sarah Lindsay Zunon (ANASEMCI) have been selected to guide youth mentees, drawing from their leadership experiences within the Gymnasium and their national farmer organisations.

“At WFO, we see this mentorship programme as a natural extension of the Gymnasium’s spirit – connecting young farmers across borders, equipping them with global skills, and empowering them to give back to their communities,” said Maria Giulia De Castro, WFO Youth & Women Liaison & Initiatives Manager.

WFO will also take part in upcoming capacity-building workshops, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening youth leadership in agriculture across continents.

Young leaders like Sarah, Nyaradzo, Patrick, Evangelista, and Mawejje are proof that the WFO Gymnasium is more than a programme –it is a platform for real-world impact. From influencing policy to mentoring peers and representing farmers on the world stage, WFO Gymnasium students and alumni are turning potential into action. Their leadership reflects the core mission of WFO: ensuring that farmers — especially young ones — are central to building the future of agriculture.

Learn more about the Gymnasium and WFO investment in youth leadership

Cover photo: Image courtesy of Sarah Lindsay Zunon. Copyright not verified.