WFF Chengdu Youth Chapter showcases youth-led innovation and traditional knowledge at Women Farmers and Pastoralists Fair

The Women Farmers and Pastoralists Fair, held on 16 May in Chengdu, China, challenged traditional perceptions of agriculture by demonstrating how young people, particularly young women, are reshaping farming and pastoralism through innovation, entrepreneurship and traditional knowledge. From rangelands and rice paddies to supply chains and digital platforms, the event showcased how a new generation is contributing to the future of agrifood systems.

The fair organized by the WFF Chengdu Youth Chapter in China contributed to two United Nations celebrations in 2026:  the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) and the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF). The event brought together young people, women farmers and pastoralists from Sichuan Province to exchange experiences and explore approaches to strengthen agrifood systems.

Discussions highlighted challenges affecting young people and rural communities both locally and globally. Participants reflected on the impacts of climate change on food production systems and recognized the growing importance of pastoralists’ knowledge and land management practices in supporting climate resilience and sustainable resource management. They also discussed the barriers many young women continue to face in accessing land, finance and technical training, despite their increasing participation in agriculture and agribusiness. The dialogue further underscored the significant role of young people across agrifood systems, while emphasizing the need for greater youth representation in decision-making processes.

Among the featured initiatives was the “Pastoralist Booth”, which showcased a yak butter laboratory founded by women herders to address limited economic opportunities for women on the plateau. Through skills development and income-generating activities close to home, the initiative supports women’s economic participation while producing handcrafted yak butter products using locally sourced organic materials, including yak milk, yak butter, wild herbs and plants.

Throughout the event, participants challenged perceptions of agriculture as a sector primarily associated with older generations. Young pastoralists and women farmers engaged directly with consumers through storytelling, digital platforms and farm livestreams. Many also demonstrated how emerging technologies, including low-altitude agricultural systems and AI-supported marketing tools, are being integrated into agrifood enterprises to strengthen production, entrepreneurship and consumer outreach.