In 2024, Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) Kenya hosted its inaugural Farmers’ Festival in partnership with local farmer-based organizations and the County Government of Kisumu. The success of this first convening demonstrated strong demand for youth-centered agricultural spaces that bridge skills development, innovation, policy dialogue, and community-driven action.

Building on this momentum, YPARD through its WYNA Programme and in collaboration with YPARD Kenya and the Obwombe Enterprises, and with support from diverse stakeholders, is organizing the 2026 Farmers’ Festival together with the WYNA National Café.

The 2026 edition of the Farmers Festival will uniquely feature the WYNA National Café through the Building Women & Youth-led Network Alliances for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (WYNA) Programme, supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), aims at  strengthening women- and youth-led networks across Africa. Implemented in partnership with Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Kenya, African Green Store Network (AGSN), and the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology (KCOA), the programme promotes agroecology and organic agriculture through capacity building, mentorship, entrepreneurship support, advocacy, and cross-network collaboration, with a strong focus on leadership development, green jobs, and inclusive agrifood systems transformation.

The theme “Growing the Future: Soil Health for Sustainable Food Systems, Agroecology & AI/Data-Driven Innovation for Youth and Community Empowerment” recognizes that young farmers and agripreneurs are navigating interconnected challenges including climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and limited market access. Addressing these requires forward-looking and integrated solutions.

By bringing together soil health restoration, agroecological practices, and emerging digital and AI-driven innovations, the Festival and WYNA National Café together aim to equip youth and community actors with practical knowledge, adaptive skills, and collaborative platforms necessary to drive sustainable food systems transformation.

The Farmers’ Festival and WYNA Café will feature a mix of interactive and experiential activities including

– a keynote address

– panel discussions

– expert talks and breakout sessions

– exhibitions and demonstrations

– entertainment and cultural performances

These activities will showcase practical innovations, lived experiences, and emerging technologies while fostering peer learning and collaboration.

At the core of this convening is the creation of a robust youth innovation and learning ecosystem designed to catalyze capacity development, technology adoption, enterprise growth, and climate-resilient agriculture.