A journalist from Kazakhstan has been named one of the world’s top young agricultural journalists,El.kz reports.
For the first time in history, a representative of Kazakhstan Aizhan Rymbayeva was among the winners of the prestigious international program IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism.
The award ceremony took place during the IFAJ World Congress, held from October 15 to 18 in Nairobi, Kenya. The list of laureates included ten journalists from Australia, Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Kenya, Liberia, the United States, and, for the first time, Kazakhstan. In total, participants from over 30 countries attended the event.
The Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism program, run by the International Federation for over 20 years, aims to support and develop young professionals covering agriculture, food security, and sustainable development. Each year, ten journalists are selected for their professionalism, innovative approach, and commitment to addressing pressing issues in the agricultural sector.
The winners receive an opportunity to undergo professional training, attend the IFAJ World Congress, and exchange experiences with colleagues from around the world.
IFAJ President Steve Werblow emphasized the importance of Kazakhstan’s participation:
“We are delighted to see Aizhan among the young leaders in agricultural journalism. This recognition honors her hard work and contribution to the development of independent media. It is especially gratifying that she represents Kazakhstan — a country that has not yet been part of IFAJ. We hope her participation will be the first step toward creating a national community of agricultural journalists.”
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) is a global organization that unites journalists from more than 50 countries working in agriculture, food, and rural development. Founded in 1956 and headquartered in the Netherlands, the federation promotes professional exchange and strengthens standards in agricultural media.
“It’s a great honor for me to become the first Kazakh journalist to receive this award. But it’s not only recognition — it’s also a responsibility. I am now working to establish a community of agricultural journalists in Kazakhstan so that our country can also be represented in IFAJ. I invite all colleagues to join this initiative — together we can develop this field,” she said.
Aizhan began her career in agricultural journalism in 2020. During the pandemic, she launched the media project “Go to the Farm,” where she tells stories about people working in agriculture. Her materials include features on women farmers in Kazakhstan, the impact of climate change on agriculture, and young professionals in the sector. She also visits foreign farms to share international experiences with her audience.