Chinese sand-control pioneer Yin Yuzhen named among FAO's 100 women heroes

ROME - Chinese sand-control pioneer Yin Yuzhen has been named among the FAO's 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, a global recognition initiative launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The honorees were celebrated at a ceremony on Thursday at the FAO headquarters in Rome as part of this year's World Food Forum.

Yin has spent more than four decades combating desertification in the Maowusu Sandy Land in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. After decades of persistent tree planting, she and her family have transformed stretches of the once-barren landscape into a green expanse, overcoming harsh conditions and shifting sands.

Her story also forged an enduring friendship with retired US teacher Ronald Sakolsky, who raised 5,000 US dollars decades ago to support her afforestation work.

Yin told Xinhua that the recognition had strengthened her resolve to continue her work. "Like a Mongolian horse, I will keep pressing forward with perseverance and determination, doing my work well and giving back to nature," she said.

Sitting in the audience at the ceremony, Sakolsky applauded Yin's achievement. "Yin deserves everything that she gets. She is the heroine," he told Xinhua.

Launched by the FAO to mark the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, the global initiative recognizes 100 women for their outstanding contributions to agriculture, food systems and rural development.