FAO honours 100 Women Heroes in agrifood systems, with Yin Yuzhen of China revealed as the hundredth

15 October 2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization honoured 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development at its Rome headquarters on 15 October 2026.
The ceremony marked the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 and coincided with the International Day of Rural Women on 15 October.
FAO had announced 99 honourees earlier, and Yin Yuzhen of China was revealed at the event as the 100th.
Yin Yuzhen has restored nearly 5,000 hectares in China's Mu Us Sandy Land and planted more than eight million trees.
FAO received 609 nominations from 131 Members, with each country's quota set by population size.
Director-General QU Dongyu opened the ceremony.