The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has been internationally recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, receiving the FAO Technical Recognition Award in the category of Sustainable Plant Production and Protection (Management of Crop Germplasm) for "enhancing institutional and human capacities for farmers- and youth-led conservation and sustainable use of crop germplasm." This award was a part of the FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations, which highlighted outstanding contributions to the transformation of global agrifood systems.

The award acknowledges The UWI’s Youth Yam Farmers Training Programme (YYFTP), a groundbreaking initiative that promotes sustainable agriculture, youth engagement, and intergenerational knowledge transfer in Jamaica.

The YYFTP was born out of local farmers’ interest in adopting tissue-cultured yam varieties in the Rio Pedro Valley. It builds on the success of a similar pineapple plantlet project initiated in 2007, aiming to preserve both traditional and scientific yam cultivation knowledge by fostering mentorship between experienced farmers, researchers, and youth.

Photo caption (T-B): Hardened tissue cultured yam plantlets and tissue cultured mature yam plant.

From nearly 300 global nominations, 39 institutions were selected for the sustainable plant production and protection recognition. Awardees were chosen based on their leadership, innovation, and tangible contributions to food security and the transformation of agricultural systems over the past four decades.

“Sustainability in agriculture requires that elders both scientists and farmers pass on their knowledge to a new generation,” said Dr. Mitchell.

Photo caption: Participants in the YYFTP  field training session hosted in 2023.

 The YYFTP also earned The UWI Principal’s Award for the Research Project with the Greatest Business/Economic/Development Impact in 2023/2024. The FAO award further affirms the significance of the YYFTP initiative to community and agricultural advancement.

Photo caption:  Prof. Densil Williams (Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor, The UWI Mona), Dr. Mitchell and her husband, Mr. Mitchell with Mr. Magnus at the Principal's Research Day Award Ceremony in 2024. 

 The FAO Global Technical Recognition Ceremony was held on October 15, 2025, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, as part of the World Food Forum. Dr. Mitchell represented The UWI virtually at the hybrid event, which aligned with the FAO’s "Four Betters" vision: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. The 2025 World Food Day was celebrated under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.”