Global AgriInno Challenge 2026 names its winners in Hangzhou

Three youth-led initiatives tackling the specific pressures facing climate-vulnerable food and agriculture systems have been named winners of the Global AgriInno Challenge 2026, at a final pitch event held in Hangzhou, China, on 10 September 2026. AgriKonnekt (Kenya), Berikanpreneur (Indonesia) and The C-SAC Caribbean Pilot (Grenada) were selected from 13 finalist teams competing in the sixth edition of the Challenge, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Zhejiang University and Pinduoduo. This year's edition, held under the theme "Accelerating Innovation for Resilient Agrifood Systems in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)," turned particular attention to states where climate change, food insecurity and geographic isolation converge with limited access to innovation ecosystems.

Supporting farmers' access to climate finance
The Gold Award went to AgriKonnekt, developed by the Kenya-based social enterprise Kilimora. The initiative combines farmer training in regenerative agriculture with digital data collection, satellite-based monitoring, ecosystem restoration and market linkages, while addressing a persistent barrier to climate finance: the cost and complexity of monitoring and verifying environmental outcomes. AgriKonnekt has engaged more than 2,000 smallholder farmers in Kenya and is working to extend its model to other climate-vulnerable agricultural and coastal communities. 

Turning fish resources into nutrition and livelihoods
The Silver Award was presented to Berikanpreneur, an initiative of Indonesia's Berikan Protein Initiative. The project converts low-value bycatch fish into Fish Protein Hydrolysate through enzymatic processing, producing a shelf-stable protein ingredient while making fuller use of marine resources that might otherwise carry limited economic value. Women's economic participation is central to the model: women from fishing households receive training in fish processing, business management, financial literacy and marketing to help them build small-scale food enterprises within their coastal communities.

Linking climate-smart agriculture with incentives
The Bronze Award recognized The C-SAC Caribbean Pilot, based in Grenada. The initiative addresses a practical challenge in the transition to climate-smart agriculture: verifying changes in farming practices and creating incentives for their adoption. Its model pairs a verification system with a Climate Premium mechanism that links documented agricultural outcomes to financial incentives. The initiative reports having reached around 3,000 smallholder farmers across more than four countries.

Watch the recording of the event here.

The three winners emerged from a field of 13 finalists selected through the Challenge's Global and SIDS tracks, representing approaches ranging from sustainable crop protection and agricultural waste management to circular bio-inputs, coastal resilience, food innovation and agricultural transformation. Ahead of the final pitch, the teams took part in the Innovation for Good programme in Hangzhou, which included capacity-building sessions, study visits, discussions with experts and investors, and mentoring to strengthen their solutions and presentations.

Now in its sixth edition, the Global AgriInno Challenge has established itself as a leading global platform for youth-led agrifood innovation, connecting emerging innovators with the experts, investors and policymakers who can help their solutions scale. As this year's finalists continue developing their initiatives for the communities and markets they serve, they join a growing network of alumni built across six editions of the Challenge.

The Global AgriInno Challenge 2026 was co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Zhejiang University and Pinduoduo.