International strategic dialogue highlights the role of youth in transforming agrifood systems

The World Food Prize Foundation, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and FONTAGRO held the strategic dialogue “Building the Future of Agrifood Systems: Opportunities for Youth in Science, Innovation, and Leadership,” a high-level forum aimed at showcasing initiatives and collaboration mechanisms to strengthen the participation of younger generations in the agrifood systems of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The event, moderated by Martín Oesterheld, Scientific Operations Specialist at FONTAGRO, sought to present programs and experiences of interinstitutional cooperation designed to promote youth engagement and contribute to the development of more innovative, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.

In this context, Rebecca Picard, Director of Global Youth Programs & Partnerships at the World Food Prize Foundation, presented initiatives that provide students and young professionals with opportunities for research, international exchange, hands-on training, and participation in global leadership networks, as well as recognition mechanisms for young innovators and pioneers in the agrifood sector, strengthening their visibility and opportunities in LAC.

For her part, Priscila Zúñiga Villalobos, Specialist in IICA’s Technical Cooperation Directorate, highlighted regional experiences related to digital transformation, agribusiness development, market access, public policy dialogue, and international cooperation, emphasizing the importance of building ecosystems that integrate young people as key actors in rural development.

The third presentation was delivered by Gabriela Quiroga Gilardoni, IICA Representative in the Dominican Republic, who noted that the future competitiveness of agriculture will depend not only on the adoption of new technologies, but also on the institutional capacity to develop and support a new generation of technical leaders.

The dialogue concluded with a panel discussion on the main challenges and perspectives for promoting greater youth participation in the region’s agrifood systems. During the discussion, Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO, emphasized that one of the major challenges is demonstrating that agriculture, as an economic sector, offers broad opportunities for younger generations, and that institutions must facilitate their integration and development, both for those pursuing careers in science and research and for those working as extension agents, producers, entrepreneurs, or agribusiness processors. Participants also agreed on the need to expand access to quality education, digital technologies, financing, innovation networks, and spaces for participation in decision-making processes.

Through this initiative, FONTAGRO reaffirms its commitment to promoting international partnerships that advance science, innovation, and capacity development to build a more sustainable and competitive agrifood future for the region.

Watch the recording of this event here.