Youth at the Heart of Agrifood Transformation: PAFO–FAO Youth Mentorship Programme Kicks Off

FAO and the Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) have launched the first edition of the Youth Mentorship Programme, a joint pilot initiative designed to empower young African agricultural producers with the skills, knowledge and connections they need to lead inclusive agrifood systems transformation.

Following a virtual orientation and pairing of mentors and mentees in late April, the structure, objectives and expectations of the programme were unveiled, marking the official start of an ambitious three-month journey that brings together 28 experienced mentors and 42 dynamic young mentees from across Africa.

“Young farmers are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they are the driving engine of development today,” said Schadrack Seneza, Mentorship Programme Coordinator at PAFO. “Through this initiative, we aim to empower and connect youth, enabling them to actively shape the future of agriculture in Africa.”

This pilot programme is a key step in FAO and PAFO’s efforts to equip youth in agriculture with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. With its roots in a strong collaboration – formalized through a five-year Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2022 – it reflects FAO and PAFO’s shared commitment to building skills and nurturing young leaders in agrifood systems. 

Over the coming months, mentees will benefit from tailored guidance from their mentors, in addition to capacity-building workshops covering topics such as agripreneurship, climate-resilient agriculture and youth leadership.

To boost their learning, all mentees will be required to complete certified courses from the FAO eLearning Academy, which offers free, multilingual modules on areas including agribusiness development, agroecology and responsible investment.

Key collaborators on the programme include the World Farmers’ Organization (WFO), a strategic partner to both PAFO and FAO that is firmly dedicated to empowering youth in agriculture. Recognizing the vital role of youth in shaping the future of agrifood systems, WFO is contributing mentors to the Youth Mentorship Programme from its Gymnasium Programme, designed to help train young farmers to become future leaders, and will be part of the capacity-building workshops.

“At WFO, we see this mentorship programme as a natural extension of the WFO 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. “Supporting our Gymnasium Alumni as mentors in this journey reinforces our belief that leadership training must be both international in scope and locally grounded in impact.”

The mentorship journey will culminate in regional pitching sessions, where mentees will present their agricultural initiatives. Three outstanding mentees will then be invited to pitch at the PAFO General Assembly, where they will gain regional visibility and valuable opportunities to engage with stakeholders and decision-makers in the agricultural sector.

“This programme reflects FAO’s commitment to nurturing young leaders in agriculture by combining mentorship with access to high-quality learning resources,” said Kaori Abe, Head of the Partnerships Unit at FAO. “We believe that young people, when given the right tools and support, can lead the way toward more resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.”

As the programme gets underway, the enthusiasm and commitment of all involved set the stage for a promising start. This isn’t just training – it’s the launchpad for a vibrant, pan-African network of young agripreneurs that are ready to lead the way in reshaping agriculture from the ground up.