Within the framework of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, five life stories show how women from different territories across the region are agents of agrifood systems transformation.

Remzije Dekaj has spent the past decade building her dairy business, growing her flock from 10 to 150 sheep while continuing a long-standing mountain farming tradition in western Kosovo.

How investments, climate-smart practices and singing help one Mongolian dairy farmer get the most from her cows

New skills and equipment helped one woman grow her dairy business in rural Uzbekistan

In Côte d’Ivoire, cocoa farmers are transforming full-sun cocoa plots into thriving agroforestry systems where shade and fruit trees keep the temperature cool and production up.

Inspired by cultural heritage, one Tunisian woman builds a date-based business and opportunities for her community

A medieval Italian citrus fruit sparks collaboration between a woman farmer and a chef

Supporting young peri-urban farmers in Zambia with financial training and climate-smart practices

In Nepal’s highlands, a young herder is building a livelihood from yak cheese and a decision not to leave

In the land of 1 000 hills, Rwandan tea farm owner Bertride Nyiranzigiye joins the tea pluckers during the harvesting. Over 83 percent of Rwanda’s agricultural production is carried out by smallholder farmers.

Healthy rangelands and the tenacity of one woman farmer help revive a once-forgotten Georgian dairy product

In southern Angola, the Chibia Dam, built with FAO’s technical leadership, provides a reliable source of water for irrigating 750 hectares of farmland and strengthens resilience in drought-prone communities.

The project aims to help cocoa producers adopt sustainable, climate‑resilient agricultural systems by improving farming practices, strengthening technical support and enhancing access to essential services.

Students at St Kizito Namugongo Secondary School harvest fresh vegetables from their hydroponic garden. The greens are used in daily school meals, supporting healthy diets and practical learning.

In Venezuela, the banana has been for generations a symbol of sustenance and tradition, but in 2023, the Fusarium Tropical Race 4 fungus arrived in producing areas causing a phytosanitary emergency. 

In Wau, South Sudan, women farmers are the backbone of their community, using their knowledge and skills to feed their families. 

Admired for her work in greenhouse farming and beekeeping, Sonya Kirgizova became a trusted figure in her community, someone people turned to with questions about crops, pests, food preservation or family health. 

A new pilot initiative to expand direct access to finance for forest and farm producer organizations in the United Republic of Tanzania through innovative financial mechanisms was launched this week in Arusha.

Combining field experience with research-based practices, FAO training is supporting Maryam and other fellow women farmers to strengthen pistachio production under increasingly challenging conditions of drought and water scarcity.

Through workshops and exchanges at the event, Sopheap gained practical knowledge on market demand, product presentation, and trade opportunities, learning not only from experts but also from fellow farmers.