During the annual Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), held in Berlin on 14–17 January, Olesia Shakalo-Olshanetska, a member of the Board of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC), addressed forum participants and ministers of agriculture from more than 60 countries worldwide on behalf of young farmers from all continents.

This year’s forum theme — “Water. Harvests. Our Future” — focused on the role of the agricultural sector as one of the largest water users and its potential to make a decisive contribution to sustainable water use and to offer solutions for strengthening global water resilience.

Young farmers from 20 countries actively contributed to the GFFA discussions, sharing practical experience on water-related challenges from their own farms and through their work in national farmers’ associations. The joint statement, prepared and endorsed by young farmers from these countries, was presented at the forum by representatives from Ukraine and Argentina.

According to young farmers, agriculture today faces unprecedented challenges, including accelerating climate change, increasing pressure on natural resources and biodiversity, and the need to ensure global food security amid a declining number of farms and shrinking agricultural land. Particular attention was given to war as a tragedy and a direct threat to global food security.

“Global food security is also under severe threat as a result of war conflicts. These actions undermine the stability of global food supply chains and jeopardize food security worldwide. We have seen multiple examples of the negative effects on water resources in war-torn areas. We condemn war acts which target water infrastructure that farming communities and civilians rely on,” said Olesia Shakalo-Olshanetska, Member of the Board of the Ukrainian Agri Council.

According to the statement, young farmers recognise water as a fundamental and increasingly scarce resource for agricultural production worldwide.

“Across regions, young farmers are already experiencing the severe consequences of climate change through droughts, floods, water quality issues, and increasing competition for water resources. Limited or unreliable access to water directly affects farm viability, reduces yields, and threatens rural livelihoods. We therefore underline that water must be managed as a strategic resource, balancing agricultural needs with environmental protection and the interests of society as a whole,”
Shakalo-Olshanetska emphasised.

On behalf of young farmers, the UAC Board member called for comprehensive water governance frameworks that promote efficient and sustainable water use, protect water quality, and ensure equitable access for farmers of all scales.

She noted that this requires investment in modern irrigation and drainage systems, as well as the maintenance and modernisation of existing infrastructure. Strengthening cooperation between farmers, authorities and other stakeholders is essential to build resilience and secure agricultural production for the future.

Additionally, on behalf of young farmers, Olesia Shakalo-Olshanetska called on agriculture ministers to facilitate the participation of young farmers in national and international policy-making processes, particularly in shaping agricultural and water policies.

The full text of the statement in English is available at:
https://msc.gffa-berlin.de/app/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/Statement-Young-Farmers´-Forum-GFFA-2026.pdf

Background

The Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) is organised by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Each year, more than 60 agriculture ministers from around the world gather to exchange views on the forum’s main theme and adopt a joint political communiqué. The forum is also attended by high-level representatives of more than ten international organisations, including FAO, IFAD, OECD, WTO, and the World Bank.