Published on March 7, 2025 , farmntrade

Agriculture is at the core of global endeavours for food security. However, the role of women in agriculture has remained comparatively undervalued. Women account for 43% of the total workforce engaged globally in agriculture (FAO). They experience some of the toughest challenges when it comes to land, finance, technology, and market access.

In their unflinching resolve, women are leading efforts in sustainable farming, agribusiness, and climate-resilient agriculture. Thus validating the premise that their contributions are the most indispensable in efforts to ensure the future of food production. Women play a key role in food production, processing, and distribution.

In developing countries, women are responsible for the production of between 60%-80% of food crops (UN Women), thus ensuring both household and community nutrition. However, global agricultural land ownership among women is below 20%.

Case study:

Women farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa In countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia, women farmers contribute largely to food production. However, according to World Bank, they face dissimilar access to credit, inputs, and education, consequently realizing a yield of 20-30% less than that of their male counterparts.

Programs like that of Women in Agriculture Value Chains in Kenya are trying to narrow this gap by providing training and finance for women farmers to access. At the very least, there may be those factors and aspects that appear to create such a gap between men and women.

But the question remains, why is gender inequality so deeply imbedded in agriculture? And herein lies the confirmatory logic; limited land ownership aggravates women’s contributions because in several cultures, laws of inheritance favour male heirs, therefore hindering women’s access to farmland; financial exclusion; women receive 10% of agricultural credit; they cannot invest in new farming technologies; access to technology; only 15% of extension services worldwide reach women farmers.

The organizations working for initiatives like the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India and the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are engaged in providing women farmers training, financial support, and advocacy for policy changes.

Woman-led agribusinesses are on the rise: organic farming to food processing and export.

Female Agripreneurs in the United States:

In the United States, the past decade has seen a 27% increase in female-operated farms, creating over $12.9 billion in economic value added (USDA). Initiatives like Annie’s Project help women develop business plans, manage farm finances, and gain access to new markets. Some of the brightest agribusiness women exist in Brazil and Argentina, active in coffee and cocoa production. Companies like Cafe Femenino empower women farmers, providing direct market access that increases incomes and social status.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture:

Women Leading the Green Revolution farming are indeed at the forefront of climate-smart agriculture. They are adopting techniques that reduce carbon footprints while enhancing soil health. Sustainable Practices Led by Women Agroforestry-India. Women’s initiatives like Vanastree Collective have taken to agroforestry to build biodiversity in an effort to fight deforestation.

Organic farming:

In Europe, female-led farms have prioritized organic and regenerative farming, which has reduced matters concerning pesticide and synthetic fertilizer usage.

Water conservation:

Women in Bangladesh and Nepal have turned to rainwater harvesting techniques to deal with drought and secure the availability of water.

Case Study:

Women Combating Climate Change in Africa in Ethiopia, the Climate-Smart Agriculture Project has trained over 50,000 women farmers in drought-resistant crops from severe weather challenges in their climate to improve yields. Women are not just farmers in agriculture; they are entrepreneurs, environmental stewards, and food security champions. Addressing gender disparities in land ownership, financial access, and market inclusion can unlock the full potential of women in agriculture. It requires a combined effort of state authorities, NGOs, and the private sector to empower women farmers.

Call to Action:

For global food security and sustainability, governments, organizations, and individuals must act to empower women in farming policies. Also to provide equal land rights, chances for financial inclusion, and education for women farmers to increase productivity and economic growth significantly.

For instance, if women had equal access to agricultural resources with men, farm yields could be raised by 20-30%, potentially alleviating 12-17% of world hunger (FAO). Programs in support of investing in women-led farming include India’s Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana, which aims to develop women farmers’ skill levels. The she feeds the world program by CARE International to provide support to female Agripreneurs. Businesses and consumers can take action by supporting women-led agribusinesses, buying from female farmers, and promoting measures that support women. If women in agriculture are empowered, we all gain a more resilient, sustainable, and food-secured future.

This Women’s Day we at farmntrade are honouring all the women by celebrating the resilience, determination, and creativity of them in agriculture. All of them have been the backbone of farming communities since the inception of agriculture itself. For ages, systemic barriers have afflicted these women. we commit to standing firmly by the side of women in agriculture. This blog embodies a great fondness for the energy and zeal of women in agriculture. It gives a message to support each other into creating a sustainable and equitable future.