Young researchers awarded at the 2025 WFF Transformative Research Challenge finals
The fifth edition of the World Food Forum (WFF) Transformative Research Challenge (TRC) concluded at the 2025 WFF flagship event on 14 October at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. The TRC finals gathered youth innovators, international experts and global partners to exchange ideas and explore science-based research solutions for more resilient, inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems.
Launched in 2021, the TRC is a global competition designed to empower young researchers to translate academic ideas into practical solutions that can help achieve agrifood systems transformation.
The 2025 edition, organized in collaboration with FAO divisions and global research institutions, focused on five thematic prizes addressing some of today’s most pressing agrifood systems challenges:
- Forestry Innovation Prize – Co-hosted by the FAO Forestry Division
- Gender Mainstreaming in the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Prize – Co-hosted by the FAO PPR-Global Eradication Programme Secretariat
- Integrated Water Management for Food Security Prize – Co-hosted by the FAO Land and Water Division and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division
- Nansen Programme Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) Prize – Co-hosted by the FAO EAF Programme and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division
- Sustainable Aquaculture Prize – Co-hosted by Shanghai Ocean University and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division
Following months of dedicated teamwork including mentorship and thematic masterclass, the 2025 TRC winners were announced during the ceremony:
Overall TRC 2025 Winner
Team Gender-Pulse
Research: “Gender dynamics in small ruminants’ value chain and gender-responsive analysis of PPR socio-economic impacts”.
Presented by: Mariam Nakiryowa, Brendah Nassamba and Emmanuel Etyak
Sustainable Aquaculture Prize
Team Biobalance
Research: “Application of probiotics in sustainable aquaculture systems: reducing off-flavor and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions”.
Presented by: Huan Han, Nawal Asif, Jiawei Li and Yuanyuan Wang
Integrated Water Management for Food Security Prize
Team AQUASMART Philippines
Research: “Adaptive quantification and subsurface monitoring for advancing resilient agricultural and aquaculture technologies”.
Presented by: Leunell Chris M. Buela, Alea Fate E. Borlaza, Grace C. Maligaya and Jerome G. Perez
Nansen Programme Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) Prize
Team Blue Ocean Voyagers
Research: “Reversing the risk of sliding towards extinction: ecosystem-based management of spiny lobsters in Sri Lanka”.
Presented by: B.M.R.L. Basnayake, M.M.S.C. Senevirathne and D.A.M. De Silva
Gender Mainstreaming in the Eradication of PPR Prize
Team Gender-Pulse
Research: “Gender dynamics in small ruminants’ value chain and gender-responsive analysis of PPR socio-economic impacts”.
Presented by: Mariam Nakiryowa, Brendah Nassamba and Emmanuel Etyak
Forestry Innovation Prize
Team IMPACT Open Air Lab
Research: “A low-cost wireless dendrometer and environmental sensing system for precision forestry”
Presented by: Christopher Erasmus, Thinus Booysen and Dave Drew
The winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges, including Máximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist; Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenburg, Regional Managing Director for Africa, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT; Isabelle Piot-Lepetit , Research Director, French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE); and Patrick Cortbaoui, Senior Managing Director, Institute for Global Food Security, McGill University.
Their expertise and guidance helped identify youth-led research that not only addresses urgent agrifood systems challenges but also promotes sustainability, inclusivity and innovation.
Through the TRC, young scientists, researchers and experts are driving transformation – advancing research, innovation and collaboration to build more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems, one idea at a time.
An initiative of 