YM16 - How to Reboot Agrifood Investment for a New Generation?

On October 15, 2026, the "YM16 - How to Reboot Agrifood Investment for a New Generation?" a dedicated thematic session hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the 2026 World Food Forum (WFF) Flagship Event in Rome will be held. The session shifts the global conversation from why we must engage younger demographics to how to structurally deploy capital to support them.

Focus of the Session

The YM16 platform explores provocative concepts and actionable mechanisms designed to: Lower Entry Barriers: Developing pathways to bypass traditional bottlenecks like capital limits, lack of rural infrastructure, and high land costs.
Introduce Flexible Financing: Moving toward blended finance model structures, targeted starter grants, and specialized low-interest credit lines tailored for younger stakeholders.
Build Multi-Role Human Capital: Encouraging youth to enter diverse tracks beyond manual farming—including agtech research, food production entrepreneurship, and digital data management.
Support Localized Youth Chapters: Integrating young voices directly into regional decision-making processes so that investments lead to tangible local policy transformations. 

Agrifood systems are facing unprecedented disruptions driven by climate change, biodiversity loss, and shifting economic landscapes. Globally, 44% of working youth depend on agrifood systems for their livelihoods, making agriculture a vital engine for future economic security.

Watch the YM16 - How to Reboot Agrifood Investment for a New Generation?

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